County Commission discusses preliminary budget

Terry Sercer said as budget requests from various departments stand now, the county is looking at a seven-plus mill increase in the levy, but that is likely to change.

Sercer told county commissioners on Monday that preliminary budgets last year reflected the same projections for an increase in the mill levy, but the county was able to keep the mill levy flat by the time the budget was published.

"You guys are sitting down, so I can start talking to you about the actual numbers," Sercer told commissioners. "The first draft has a mill increase of seven-plus mills, but we have been worse before."

"We know this isn't where we will finish (with the budget)," Warren said.

Sercer said the preliminary budget calls for an increase because of lower cash carry-overs. He said reducing the 2013 budget will increase the carry-over for 2014.

He said he used the 2013 budget as a mirror for the 2014 budget, but some funds used in 2013 may not be spent in 2014.

"For the most part, I've used the 2013 budget in determining the 2014 budget," Sercer said. "If you spend less and are sure you are going to spend less, that will change some of those numbers. That will increase the carry-over from 2013 to 2014 and reduce the levy."

Sercer said the important thing for commissioners to remember is that if they reduce the budget, they should make sure they don't spend the budget.

He said no department's budget requests were "hugely" more than last year, except for the cost of housing jail inmates in other counties.

He said 4.6 mills of the preliminary budget increase are due to projected increased spending for 2014.

"I did give people what they asked for," Sercer said.

He said he increased money spent for benefits, because he knows the county's portion of KPERS is going up about 10 percent and expects health insurance to raise about eight percent.

Sercer said he was very conservative in estimating what the county might draw in revenue from the sale of properties that have delinquent taxes.

"I think that's probably going to go up a little bit, which will lower the mill levy," Sercer said.

Commissioners will be meeting with Sercer at 1 p.m. Friday for a budget workshop to take a closer look at the budget. Sercer said then they may take a closer look at some revenue streams, including a reimbursement from the employee benefit fund and a look at what delinquent taxes have been paid recently.

"This is just a preliminary draft -- something to start working on," Sercer said.

Warren said issues around courthouse security under the new concealed carry law (see related story in Wednesday's Tribune) raise special concerns regarding the budget.

He also said revenues exceeded expenditures by about $65,000 at the landfill this month, but the landfill also needs to purchase a new hopper.

In other business:

* Warren said it was erroneously stated during a July 8 meeting that County Attorney Terri Johnson made $10,000 per year less than County Appraiser Judy Wallis. From that meeting, Jerrod Handly was quoted in The Fort Scott Tribune, citing the same figures. Warren said in actuality, Johnson makes $68,412.33 annually, compared to Wallis' $61,916.32. Warren said Johnson's base pay with the county is $49,686.81, but also makes $6,365.52 in appellate work and $12,360 as a county counselor, totaling $68,412.33. During that early July meeting, Warren told Handly that Allen County pays its appraiser $60,000 per year, but also allows for about $14,000 for contract work to assist the appraiser. According to commissioners, Wallis performs all the work with no outside contractors, thus saving the county money. He said Allen County also supplies the appraiser with a county truck, unlike Bourbon County.

* Warren announced that the Missouri State Tractor Pull has been rescheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 23. The event was canceled Saturday because of inclement weather. He said all advanced tickets purchased for Saturday's show will be honored on Aug. 23. Those who did not have tickets may purchase them in advance for $10 (adults) and $5 (children)at the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce and Country Cupboard. Prices at the gate will be $12 and $6.

* Pearson reported that rain totals in the county ranged from 1 inch to 3.5 inches this weekend.

* Pearson said asphalt work on 205th Street is almost complete and crews will be moving to the Gunn Park Addition next.

* Pearson said there is a continuing problem of debris, specifically roofing materials and nails on roads and ditches heading to the county landfill.

* Commissioners met with department heads to begin final drafts of evaluations for county employees. Commissioners said the annual evaluations should be done by the last quarter of the year for each employee, and after the first six months for new employees. Commissioners said employees should be presented a sample evaluation form as soon as it is finalized so they know what criteria they are being evaluated on.

* Commissioners and department heads discussed what ways they might save money for the county, including purchasing commodities through one supplier for all departments . Other ideas included a rummage sale of excess county furniture and supplies and a transition from ink jet to laser printers. Commissioners are considering having the sale during the city-wide garage sale on Sept. 22.

* Commissioners met with Johnson and Pearson during executive session to discuss matters pertaining to attorney client privilege with possible litigation.

* Commissioners suspended their meeting at approximately 12:15 p.m. and readjourned about 1 p.m. in executive session to review applications for the position of Public Works director. They later spent time at a farewell gathering for longtime Public Works office manager Doylene Chapman and after that went to Elm Creek Lake to view progress on improvements to the caretaker's house. After Elm Creek, commissioners went to view production at the asphalt plant. Warren earlier asked Pearson for a daily spreadsheet on production there.