County commissioners approve 2015 budget

The Bourbon County Commissioners made the 2015 budget official Monday following a public hearing during their regular meeting.

Terry Sercer of Diehl, Banwart and Bolton CPAs said the final valuation will determine whether the mill levy will remain at 63.085 as was published. The budgeted Ad Valorem Tax is $5,743,846 and net expenditures are set at $11,470,080.

Sercer said any change that might be made to the mill levy would be after the final valuation is set in a couple of months, and the mill levy change would be "pretty dang close" to what has been approved.

"After a long hard process, we finally got there to no tax increase," Sercer said. "And that's after an increase in spending."

He said the county will be adding some employees in FY 2015, with 1.5 new positions in the sheriff's office, and the register of deeds and clerk's office each being able to increase one half-time employee to full time.

Employees also will receive a 1-percent pay increase.

"You did a lot in this budget," Sercer said.

He also commented on the amount of work being done by the public works department.

"You guys have done a ton of road work the last year, this year and even projected into next year," Sercer said. "The reason is you've been able to build up that balance in the sales tax fund and now you're using it for its purpose. I'm sure there's people out there saying, 'You should have fixed my road, you should have fixed this road,' but you're never going to please everybody. But you guys have done a lot of roads."

Warren said just 15 minutes before the public hearing, he'd heard similar comments 15 minutes earlier from someone in the courthouse hallway about other roads needing repaired.

"You guys spent a lot, as you know, the road sales tax fund is spending a lot of money," Sercer said. "Now, it's going to have to cut back because we're spending more than we brought in, just because we've brought in and built up a little bit of a balance. Jim was able to schedule jobs and get them done. You've done a lot of road work with him."

"I think we've got to thank Jim and his leadership," Warren said. "We are getting more done than we have in the past."

"It helps to have someone on top of it," Sercer said.

"The fortunate thing is, if we're using the sales tax, we know every year what amount we can spend in hard surface maintenance, repair and make sure accordingly to that and use the funds that the people in the county contribute to in the form of sales tax," Second District Commissioner Barbara Albright said.

Sercer said people from out-of-county also contribute to that sales tax, and Albright agreed. He said the sales tax has recovered since the economic downturn.

Sercer also complimented the county on being proactive when it comes to keeping its equipment in working order.

"And you have to have equipment to do it, too," Sercer said. "That's something, Allen, four years ago, you immediately started getting equipment lined up and it has to be said you've done an admirable job in that and I hope someone continues that. Not just buy a grader when you need it, plan it."

Sercer said planning to make a purchase before it's needed will save the county from having downtime that would occur when there would be a waiting period between the equipment breaking and being repaired or replaced.

Finally, Sercer said the county budget includes contingency funds.

"When the end of the year comes, we'll see where we stand," Sercer said. "If we have some excess budget cash carryover, (you can) make some transfers again."

He said those transfers could help build up the capital outlays.

After the budget hearing concluded and the budget was adopted, Sercer said he will return to the commissioners Friday with a list of ideas to improve the budget process next year.

Also, now that the budget has formally been approved, each department head will receive a copy of their approved budget so each will know what was approved and can plan accordingly.

Other business

* Commissioners approved hiring a part-time employee at the landfill. Public Works Director Jim Harris said there is money in the budget for the position, as hiring the person would eliminate overtime for the two full-time landfill employees.

"And we'd get the coverage we need," Harris said. "We're not getting the coverage we need now. A large portion of the time we need a third person."

He said there have been times when someone from the road and bridges crew has been sent to help at the landfill.

The opening is being offered internally first, Harris said. Second District Commissioner Harold Coleman asked if someone on the mower crew would be interested in the job.

"I hope so," Harris said.

* Commissioners are also considering the construction of a new salt bin at the county yards. The new bin would give the county an opportunity to begin purchasing salt when prices are lower, according to Harris.

"Back in March, I discussed with you folks a salt bin like KDOT has," Harris said. "With the forecast we're receiving, right or wrong, we did run out of salt twice last year. If we have another major winter, we'll be struggling for material."

If purchased now, the salt will be cheaper than if it is purchased in December -- "if we can get it in December," Harris said. "If we start stockpiling now, we need to get another building put up to store it."

He said right now salt costs $70 per ton. In December, the county paid $100 per ton.

Harris said he did not have the information on how much salt the county used last year, but it was "hundreds and hundreds" of tons.

"If we can save even $30 a truck load, and each truckload is 2,200 tons, that's $700 per load we'd save if we start buying now instead of December," Harris said.

What he has in mind is a structure similar to one the Kansas Department of Transportation has south of Fort Scott. He said he got a quote of $4,300 last year. He said it wouldn't take long for the structure to be built, but it's not something the county could do on its own.

Commission Chairman Allen Warren suggested a decision be put off until after August expenses are tabulated, which should be completed in a couple of weeks.

Harris said there should be money available in the road and bridge fund.

* Commissioners held three executive sessions with County Attorney Terri Johnson. A five-minute session was to discuss an issue under attorney-client privileges; a 15-minute session was to discuss nonelected personnel to protect their privacy; a 15-minute session also included Geographic Information Systems Director Shane Walker to discuss courthouse security.