The Ford County Commission approved a $23.59 million budget for the next fiscal year on Monday, which calls for a slight drop in the county's mill levy.
The county's property tax levy will be set at 40.83 mills in fiscal year 2011, down from 40.98 the previous year.
Homeowners whose property is valued at $100,000 will pay $470 in county-assessed property taxes in 2011.
County Administrator Ed Elam said the commissioners had devised a fiscally responsible spending plan for next year.
"I believe the commission has been very conservative again this year," he said. "They're trying to keep the mill levy and the taxes for our citizens as low as possible while still providing the essential services that we believe are necessary to provide a safe environment that we need to operate, and also to address those issues that are statutorily required by the state of Kansas."
The key to the county's budget is the assessed valuation — the value of all property within the county's boundaries.
The assessed valuation jumped from $236.2 million last year to $248.4 million this year. That means one mill will generate more money for the county this year, making it possible to hold the mill levy down.
The commission had originally proposed a $22.15 million budget for FY 2011. But the county's share of revenues from the state-owned casino, combined with revenues from the second Spearville wind farm, allowed the county to increase the budget without boosting the mill levy.
But officials included some cost-cutting measures so they could hold the mill levy down. For instance, the county did not eamark any money for cost-of-living increases, and it will delay some capital expenses — including new vehicles — in 2011.
Commission Chairman Kim Goodnight said the commissioners had put a lot of work into next year's budget.
"Is it going to make everybody happy?" he said. "No. Never has, never will."
Commissioner Terry Williams said he was satisfied with next year's budget.
"We sharpened the pencil as much as we can," he said.
In other business, the commission:
• Heard a presentation about USD 443's upcoming bond issue election from Board of Education President Dan Reichenborn.
The school board has proposed building a $35 million middle school at Sixth Avenue and Iron Road to relieve overcrowding at Dodge City Middle School. The state would pick up 51 percent of the tab, and the district would finance the rest through bond issue proceeds.
Reichenborn said the 51 percent match meant all Kansas counties — not just Ford County — would help pay for the project.
"Ford County residents have been contributing to schools in Finney County and Sedgwick County and all over the state," he said. "And it's time that they helped us build one."
USD 443 patrons will vote on the bond issue in November.
• Adopted a $597,661 budget for the rural fire district for FY 2011.
The budget will require a property tax levy of 4.46 mills, down from 4.59 mills the previous year.
• Honored sheriff's office employee Terry Ohmes and fire/EMS staffer Nathan Yancey for 10 years of service to the county.
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The Ford County Commission approved a $23.59 million budget for the next fiscal year on Monday, which calls for a slight drop in the county's mill levy.
The county's property tax levy will be set at 40.83 mills in fiscal year 2011, down from 40.98 the previous year.
Homeowners whose property is valued at $100,000 will pay $470 in county-assessed property taxes in 2011.
County Administrator Ed Elam said the commissioners had devised a fiscally responsible spending plan for next year.
"I believe the commission has been very conservative again this year," he said. "They're trying to keep the mill levy and the taxes for our citizens as low as possible while still providing the essential services that we believe are necessary to provide a safe environment that we need to operate, and also to address those issues that are statutorily required by the state of Kansas."
The key to the county's budget is the assessed valuation — the value of all property within the county's boundaries.
The assessed valuation jumped from $236.2 million last year to $248.4 million this year. That means one mill will generate more money for the county this year, making it possible to hold the mill levy down.
The commission had originally proposed a $22.15 million budget for FY 2011. But the county's share of revenues from the state-owned casino, combined with revenues from the second Spearville wind farm, allowed the county to increase the budget without boosting the mill levy.
But officials included some cost-cutting measures so they could hold the mill levy down. For instance, the county did not eamark any money for cost-of-living increases, and it will delay some capital expenses — including new vehicles — in 2011.
Commission Chairman Kim Goodnight said the commissioners had put a lot of work into next year's budget.
"Is it going to make everybody happy?" he said. "No. Never has, never will."
Commissioner Terry Williams said he was satisfied with next year's budget.
"We sharpened the pencil as much as we can," he said.
In other business, the commission:
• Heard a presentation about USD 443's upcoming bond issue election from Board of Education President Dan Reichenborn.
The school board has proposed building a $35 million middle school at Sixth Avenue and Iron Road to relieve overcrowding at Dodge City Middle School. The state would pick up 51 percent of the tab, and the district would finance the rest through bond issue proceeds.
Reichenborn said the 51 percent match meant all Kansas counties — not just Ford County — would help pay for the project.
"Ford County residents have been contributing to schools in Finney County and Sedgwick County and all over the state," he said. "And it's time that they helped us build one."
USD 443 patrons will vote on the bond issue in November.
• Adopted a $597,661 budget for the rural fire district for FY 2011.
The budget will require a property tax levy of 4.46 mills, down from 4.59 mills the previous year.
• Honored sheriff's office employee Terry Ohmes and fire/EMS staffer Nathan Yancey for 10 years of service to the county.
