2021 County Budget

 

At last night's Executive Committee meeting, we discussed the 2021 budget.  A few things about our budget:

• Taxes go down, again.  This year they go down 5.5 cents per thousand dollar in home value, which equates to $11 for a home assessed at $200,000.  Add this to the 30 cents we have reduced taxes over the previous four years I have been in office, and the net is about 35 cents per thousand, or $70 per year on a home valued at $200,000.
  
• The rebuilding of Samaritan will likely hit the 2022 or 2023 budget.
   
  
  
  
• The levy increases $700,000 based on new construction within the community.
• 90% of the new spending will go towards public safety and the Sheriff's department.  At a time when our country is seeing many local governments cave in to a loud but small group by reducing funding to law enforcement, this is a refreshing re-affirmation of our commitment to a safe and secure community.

 

• Our County Park will, for the first time ever, need no tax levy money.  Our parks are now fully self-sustaining.  Best of all, park usage is at an all time high. We added high-demand amenities to our park system, along with an entrance fee.  Those amenities include dog parks, disc gold courses, wedding barns, rental cabins, beer gardens, and more.  We have proven that people are willing to pay to use the parks, if we offer parks that are exciting and engaging.