County goes public with higher mill levy

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

After spending numerous hours going line-by-line through the county's budget, Bourbon County Commissioners voted Monday to published the proposed budget and hold a public hearing at 10 a.m. on Aug. 30.

Terry Sercer of Diehl, Banwart, Bolton CPAs, PA of Fort Scott has been working with the commissioners on the budget.

"If, based on this budget, if everything stands where this is for the rest of the year and if revenues come in as anticipated in this budget, we will have zero dollars in the general fund at the end of the year," Sercer said on Monday. "The main reason is quite simple. You don't want to pick on one department or anything, but it's quite obvious. In 2013 we budgeted a little under $800,000 in the jail. We are projected to spend $924,000."

Sercer said the hope is to end the fiscal year with not more than a $127,000 deficit.

The proposed budget includes a 2 percent raise for employees.

The budget presented to the commissioners on Monday morning also had a mill levy increase of 1.492 mills, from 61.478 in 2013 to 62.97 in 2014.

The mill levy presented Monday morning would generate $88,000 more in tax revenue than the 2013 mil levy. The mill levy generated $5.6 million in 2013. In 2014, it will generate $5.7 million. If the mill levy had been left the same, because valuations have decreased, the mill levy would have generated less money than it had in 2013, Sercer said.

Commission Chairman Allen Warren said they are beginning to discuss the possibility of courthouse maintenance projects beginning in the next fiscal year. On Friday, County Attorney Terri Johnson suggested the commissioners begin holding supervisor meetings to develop a five-year plan for the county, which could include repainting offices. The commissioners agreed to hold such a meeting in October.

"We need some funds to support some of those kind of things," Warren said.

He suggested adding $10,000 to the budget, which he admitted "is not going to go a long ways." Sercer suggested that could go into a contingency fund, which would allow the commissioners to use the fund for other projects if necessary.

After adding the $10,000 into the budget, the budget published in today's Tribune shows a mill levy of 63.085, which could be lowered if the commissioners choose to do so on Aug. 30.

Emergency Manager resigns

Just as a new sheriff is about to officially settle in, Bourbon County discovered on Friday that it will need to begin the search for a new emergency manager.

Terri Coop submitted her letter of resignation on Friday. However, the commissioners were in a budget work session and were unable to act on the resignation at that time, Second District Commissioner Barbara Albright told The Tribune.

On Monday morning, following a 15-minute executive session with County Attorney Terri Johnson, the commissioners voted to accept Coop's resignation, which was effective immediately on Friday. After a 20-minute executive session with GIS Coordinator Shane Walker, Fort Scott Fire Chief Paul Ballou and District 3 Fire Chief Delwin Mumbower, the commissioners voted to appoint Walker as the interim emergency manager. The county will be advertising for the position.

The commissioners did not state a reason for Coop's resignation.

In the meantime, Bill Martin, acting sheriff, is still awaiting official notice of his appointment from Gov. Sam Brownback. On Aug. 12, the Bourbon County Republican Committee voted to submit Martin's name for the appointment. If appointed, Martin will replace Ron Gray, who resigned effective Aug. 9.

Other business:

* Bids for chemicals for the Noxious Weed Department were accepted. Van Diest was awarded the bid for $2,635.20. Other bids were Red River, $2,811.60 and CPS, $2,734.20.

* The commissioners met with Road and Bridge Coordinator Jim Harris. He reviewed a list of roads that are scheduled for repairs. Those include 230th, 240th, and 180th streets and Limestone Road.

* The commissioners also went into an executive session with Harris to discuss personnel matters regarding non-elected officials.

* Mike Hueston, Mapleton mayor, appeared to ask for the county's assistance in placing chip and seal on the town's two miles of roads. Warren said that because the county is behind on its own work due to the recent heavy rains, it would not be able to help this year. He suggested the city have the necessary patching done this fall so the streets will be ready for chip and seal in June 2014.

* The commissioners adopted a revised resolution for the county's salary schedule. The new resolution reflects recent changes in personnel which include a jail administrator (Bobby Reed), road and bridge director (Harris,) road and bridge foreman (Marty Pearson), and the deletion of the public works supervisor position, which was held by Pearson.

* On Friday, David Neville, maintenance supervisor, was asked to review bids submitted for air conditioning units repair and replacement. On Monday, Neville recommended the county accept the bid from Design Mechanical of Kansas City for $25,061.80. The commissioners voted to accept the bid on the condition that it is approved by the county's insurance.

CDL of Pittsburg submitted a total bid of $$37,061.80.