County commission discusses budgets

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By Brandy Nance (Contact)

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Lyon County commissioners are spending the better half of their action session this morning grappling over the 2009 budget.

Discussions this morning have included adjustments to several budgets in county line items. The morning started out with a nearly level mil levy for 2009. Financial Consultant Bob Agler said after an audit last week, the county’s projected mil levy increase of 1.7 mils decreased to near level mil levy from 2008.

“It’s basically at a zero increase,” Agler said. “It’s a slight decrease without considering the sales tax.”

After voters overwhelmingly passed the 1 percent raise in county sales tax, a mil levy decrease is expected. County-wide, $1.5 million will be dedicated to property tax relief. That equals to about 6 mils. However, depending on how much the 2009 budgets are adjusted, that number could change.

Among the adjustments so far this morning, commissioners added $32,000 back into the jail budget. The $32,000 in the jail budget restores half of the $64,000 that was originally cut from the jail’s 2009 budget. After a long discussion this morning about food and other costs in the jail, the commission decided to split the difference. Lyon County Under Sheriff Richard Old said food costs are up but there is no way of telling exactly how much it will be in 2009.

“Essentially I don’t know what the costs of food are going to be,” Old said. “I’m guessing what the price of food is going to be. I’m guessing what the price of gas is going to be.”

With the adjustments this morning, the mil levy stands at a 6.285 decrease. This amount reflects the one percent increase in sales tax.

Adjustments made this morning:

• $32,000 placed back in jail budget

• $1,000 placed back in county zoning

• $18,000 placed back into county attorney

• $2,300 placed back into county clerk

In other business: commissioners voted to approve bids by Emporia Construction & Remodeling to furnish and install concrete at the Extension Office to meet ADA compliance on two doors and prevent water from coming into another door. On the south door the bid is to remove and replace a 12’ by 14’ slab of concrete for $1,050; the east door is to remove and replace 5’ by 15’ area of concrete and 5’ by 10’ area of asphalt for $750; and the north door remove 18’ by 6 foot area of concrete and make threshold for $750 to prevent water from coming into the building. The motion to approve the improvements passed 3-0.

Lyon County commissioners will hold a special meeting at 9 a.m. Friday to pass the 2009 budget. The budget will go to publication next week.