Allen County’s ad valorem tax levy will go up a smidgen, according to a budget approved by commissioners Wednesday morning.
Initial budget figures handed to commissioners on Tuesday included a levy increase of more than 10 mills. By the time they laid their scalpels aside Wednesday, commissioners had the increase down to 0.846 of a mill.
For perspective, that would increase the tax obligation of a person owning a $100,000 home by $9.73 a year. The total levy, 67.602, would put the same person’s tax bill for support of county services at $777.42. An Allen Countians’ overall tax bill will be higher, however, when levies for city, township, fire district, school district, Allen County Community College and the state are added.
A public hearing for the budget will be at 10 a.m. Aug. 9.
The spending plan predicts expenditures of $12,577,454 in 2012, including $5,312,488 in the general fund, which pays for all done through elective offices in the courthouse, including the jail and Sheriff’s Department. Other line items with substantial expenditures are found in the ambulance fund, $1.31 million, and road and bridge fund, $2.3 million.
This year’s budget called for overall expenditures of $11,707,507, with $4,957,971 for the general fund.
The overall levy of 67.602 mills will raise $6,235,051 in tax money, based on assessed valuation of $92,231,690.
Commissioner Gary McIntosh characterized the budget as a “good compromise for the property tax (payers) and for employees.” Some departments have latitude for small employee raises, a personnel advantage that hasn’t occurred with much regularity in recent years.
The same reason the overall budget rose $870,000 in comparison to this year’s is personnel related. Health insurance costs are predicted to soar by $4,000 a year per employee in 2012, which would cost the county an additional $500,000. That could change if a more desirable contract is negotiated, a commission chore that will occur in the spring.
Rodney Burns, accountant who aided commissioners in preparation of the budget, noted that most of additional funding was from non-tax revenue and anticipated cash carryover.
COMMISSIONERS said they would move soon, in concert with Iola councilmen, to establish a citizens committee to look meticulously into an Iola proposal to merge Iola and county ambulance services.
Commissioner Dick Works noted it was essential for all facts, from the perspective of each side, to be fleshed out in a minute detail. He also suggested that the committee represent all of the county, with members selected on the basis of population.
And, said McIntosh, “we need to avoid contentiousness,” which should occur with a citizens committee.
Rob Francis, commission chairman, added that “all public safety needs” should be on the table, with the committee considering what might be done with fire protection as well as ambulance service for all of the county.
“I want service to Allen County citizens to be the best it can be,” he said.
