Commission Approves Tentative Budget, Millage Rate

The Jasper County Commission voted last Thursday to approve a budget of $10,041,247, slightly less than a budget that had a previous tentative approval.

The board had voted 3-2 to approve a budget of $10,068,310. However, the health care increase was not as much as was budgeted for in that scenario, so commissioners came back Thursday and approved a lower budget.

However, of the three millage rates they were considering, two seriously, they agreed to vote for the highest one. The millage rate will remain the same as this year—16.446. The vote for a much lower rate of 15.440, which Commissioner Bruce Henry wanted, died for lack of a second, and the rollback rate was only approved by two commissioners. The third option, maintaining the millage rate, will net the county about $200,000 more than last year. It will make little difference in each person’s property tax bill.

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Commissioner Doug Luke recognized the negligible difference it would make in each tax bill, but said it shows the taxpayers the board of commissioners is trying to alleviate some of the pain of increased property values. Chief Appraiser Lynn Bentley had shown commissioners a breakout of how the new assessments would affect individual tax bills. Her property value increase was the highest shown, some $43,500, yet the difference in the 16.44 mills vs. the 15.94 mills for her tax bill was $9. Therefore, the difference to the individual taxpayer is very little in the rollback rate vs. leaving the rate the same as current year.

Using the 16.446 mills, the budget will still require close to $40,000 to come from fund balance. The commission has been advised to have a fund balance equal to one-half of the annual budget. It will likely get there this year. However there was some discussion about going ahead and earmarking some of fund balance for capital needs. Commissioners plan to discuss that further at their regular meeting set for June 5.

Because of the tax increase, which is what 16.446 mills is, the county has to hold three public hearings whereby the public can comment on the proposed budget and millage rate. The first hearing is set for Monday, June 12, at 9 a.m., with the second one being that same day at 6 p.m. The third hearing will be held Monday, June 19, at 6 p.m.

Although the millage rate did not increase, since property values went up, it is considered a tax increase.

Before voting on the millage rate, Commissioner Craig Salmon introduced county emergency services director Chris Finch to show some numbers he had pulled together. Since the difference between the rollback rate and the current year rate was about $200,000, Commissioner Salmon had ideas for what could be done with the $200,000.

Basically, Mr. Finch said that putting a third ambulance in at Farrar would cost about $276,000 for personnel. The station would require upgrades, and that would mean using the spare ambulance all the time. However, just staffing it three days a week would cost about $116,132, according to his figures.

Another option for public safety would be to put in an eighth fire station which could save the people in the area substantially on their homeowner’s insurance if they received a better ISO rating because of the new fire station.

Two locations mentioned were the Clay Road area and the Liberty Church Road area. Both areas are more than five miles from any station at this time.

Commissioners agreed it was good food for thought, but felt like this was not the time to consider either of those options. The commissioners have said numerous times they expected to be able to do more than they have while in office, but with the budget being basically flat, there are not funds for increased services.