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County collects more than half of its taxes |
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Thursday, 28 December 2006 |
Pondera County Treasurer Jeanne Moon, this week, reported that the total billed for 2006 real estate was $7,216,608.30 and so far the county has collected more that half that, $4,018,608.63.
“Of course, there is still the second half due in May of 2007 and quite a few pay both halves in November,” she noted.
That news led into the budget message released earlier by commission chairman Cynthia Johnson.
She noted that the county had received no increased staffing requests; so staffing compensation would remain budgeted to the amount in the job descriptions for employees, as well as elected officials, with the exception of the County Coroner.
The Coroner position will be combined with the Sheriff’s position on Jan. 1, 2007.
A 3.6 percent cost of living (COLA) increase and .4 percent raise was approved for elected officials.
All county employees received a .50-cent per hour increase in July. The County contribution to health insurance, for a single employee, is still $300 a month.
Johnson noted that while fuel costs have stabilized, a 20 to 40 percent increase in current prices may still happen and that has been budgeted accordingly.
As reported earlier in the I-O, the old nursing home asbestos abatement and demolition has been completed and a Road Shop Office and Training Center was finished and two bellies dump trailers, two used trucks and a loader were purchased.
The Public Safety Department anticipates a continued medical liability for prisoner medical and mental health expenses.
The department also continues to have high communication expenses due to the new E911 system, related software and telephone system contracts.
Johnson also noted that property, casualty and liability premiums are anticipated to increase 15 percent countywide and health insurance premiums could increase by 13 percent.
The value of a countywide mill decreased from $12,212 to $12,173. The county aggregate floated mills allowed total was 131.81 and the county budget required all 131.81 floated mills.
She noted as well, the county is aiming for a 33 percent reserve in all funds. Reserve amounts range from 20.5 percent to 33 percent with the goal being to get all funding up to the 33 percent number.
Some of the proposed expenditures for the county look like this:
Road $825,505, Bridge $418,410, Weed $116,318, District Court $100,138, Library $136,775, County Hospital and Nursing $152,037, Emergency snow removal $75,384, Health insurance $143,808, 911 Emergency $139,735, Debt service hospital $286,625, Road/Bridge equipment purchase $252,736, Rural Fire District $150,652, Public safety (law) $962,158 and general $1,219,546.
Proposed expenditures for all funds is $6,501,368. The proposed revenue is $4,171,979; however cash available amounts to $6,999,292,39.
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