Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
On Tuesday, Sept. 14, the Kimball County Commissioners met for public comments for or against the proposed 2021-22 county budget. With no comments at that point, the commissioners opened the hearing for setting the budget.
The final tax request for 2021-22 is $3,249,327, a 3.32% increase from 2020-21, which would increase the levy from .449691 to .459842. The increase would result in a little more than a 1 cent increase per $100 in valuation – or, for example, a $10 increase for a $100,000 house.
New contracts, fuels, equipment purchases, chemicals and wages factored significantly in the budget making.
According to the information presented at the budget meeting, a budget workshop was held on Aug. 18, 19, 20 and 23. While working on the budget, $363,981 was cut from the original request, including “increased revenues and transfers, made changes for Interlocal Agreements, reduced operating expenses such as fuel and cost of repairs, adjusted wages, allowed for an increase in accumulation in the road sinking fund, discussed equipment purchases and increased chemical supplies.”
Budget Officer Josie Morgan also explained that two bonds were paid off in 2019-20, the hospital bond from January 2000 and the Courthouse/Road Building Bond from April 2013.
Significant increases include the road sinking fund at 19.4%. It was noted that “This fund accumulates funds to plan for large road projects.”
The Kimball Country Transit Service current budget request climbs 39.3%, it was noted that “the transit is continuing to expand, growing to benefit community residents.”
Another important upturn was the Visitor’s Promotion Fund, which was increased 37.1%; it was noted that “Expenses were moved to this fund that had been shared with Visitor’s Improvement.”