By Roger McKinney
rmckinney@joplinglobe.com
COLUMBUS, Kan. — A proposed 2010 Cherokee County budget includes a small increase in spending and taxes and probably no pay increases for county employees.
Cherokee County Commissioners set a public hearing on the proposed $14.2 million budget for 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 28.
Estimated spending for the county this year is $13.8 million. Proposed spending from the general fund is $4,466,366, a decline from $4,490,518 this year.
The tax levy paired with the proposed budget is 55.395 mills, up from 52.869 mills this year.
The owner of a house in Cherokee County with a $100,000 market value would pay property taxes supporting next year’s county budget totaling $637.04; this year, that homeowner paid $607.99 in property taxes toward the county budget.
The figures don’t include city, state or school district taxes.
The Cherokee County Budget Advisory Committee in August presented recommendations that members said would allow commissioners to reduce the budget to $13.4 million in 2010.
Commissioners on Wednesday said they have adopted many of the committee’s recommendations and have cut other costs.
“We may shave a little more off” at the budget hearing, Commissioner Jack Garner said.
Garner said it was unlikely that the proposed budget would allow for employee pay increases. Commissioner Richard Hilderbrand said the budget wouldn’t allow for pay increases. However, Commissioner Pat Collins said he was hopeful that employees could receive a pay increase next year.
“I don’t know how we can,” Garner said. “We’ve cut the budget down to the bone. If we do give a raise it would be a minimal one, if any.”
Commissioners have adopted a two-year hiring freeze for nonessential positions. The committee had recommended a three-year hiring freeze for all but sheriff’s department employees. Hilderbrand said essential employees include those whose jobs require specialized training, such as nurses, diesel mechanics and sheriff’s deputies.
Jason Allison, the county emergency management director, has been appointed to also serve as the county safety director, which was another committee recommendation.
Hilderbrand said the county’s health committee has met twice to review the performance of the county’s employee health insurance plan.
Collins said that he didn’t know if the budget proposal would be enough to satisfy residents or members of the advisory committee.
“This is the best we can do without reducing the services to the people,” Collins said. “We’re not going to do that. We’re going to keep this report that they gave us and see what areas we can implement.”
Ivan Crossland Jr., chairman of the Budget Advisory Committee, didn’t return calls last week seeking his reaction to the county budget proposal.
