The Lyon County Commission chamber was packed during Thursday’s action session because of 2010 budget discussions.
At first pass of the budget, the county is looking at a 15 1/2-mill increase because of decreased sales tax and decreased revenue in the county, said Dan Slater, Lyon County controller.
“A 15-mill increase is not even close to acceptable,” Slater said. “It’s just not feasible.”
Slater said if there is no cash carry forward from leftover money from budgets at the end of the 2009, 2010 will have to be funded entirely from ad valorem property tax.
Bob Agler of A&M Consultants suggested the county look at 2009 budgets instead of looking solely at 2010 budgets.
“I personally think we are cutting ourselves short if we only think about doing something in 2010...,” Agler said.
Agler said there aren’t any easy solutions to the problem.
“It is a serious situation and I would like to see not only what we can do six months from now but what we can do today,” he said.
Agler added that the county may have to take other measures as well.
“We might have to think outside the box and separate what is mandated and what is not mandated because if it’s not mandated there’s probably an opportunity to do something about it,” he said.
Commission Vice Chairman Rollie Martin said it boils down to needs and wants.
“Just ask that simple question,” Martin said. “I think that’s what we’re going to have to do, get to the core services the county provides and work outward.”
Martin added that the county and department heads should keep a positive attitude during the process and departments should work together to help remedy the problem.
Before the budget discussion, Emporian K.B. Thomas Jr. addressed commissioners and suggested furloughs for all employees to help cut costs. The discussion came back up during the budget discussions but with the understanding that the idea did not come from county commissioners.
“None of the commission said anything about furloughs,” Commission Chairman Scott Briggs said. “If you mention furloughs you are going to have reduced services. Personally I don’t see it yet myself. I think it’s something we should look into but I’m not sure that’s the right way to go...”
Slater agreed.
“Our job is to serve the public,” he said. “We have an obligation to serve them the best we can. If you start cutting staff, furloughing staff and cutting hours are we still serving the public?”
Commissioner Teresa Walters said furloughs have not been discussed.
“We are in the business to service the community,” she said. “To use those tax dollars we get from them and serve them. If you talk about hacking back employees you’re going to be cutting services. ... It’s not been at the top of my list as a way to solve the problem.”
Many department heads were present at the meeting Thursday morning to discuss budgets. Martin said that is the first step — involving the department heads.
“We need your input,” he said. “We need your help within your own departments with your own expertise...”
Toward the end of the discussion, Briggs said although a 15-mill increase isn’t acceptable, he doesn’t see the mill levy staying flat either.
“I see no way we can keep the mill levy flat,” he said. “I see no way that can possibly work.”
Comments
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madpoet (anonymous) says...
No one seems to be thinking from the county employees' standpoint. If they are furloughed, they lose money and less money goes back into the local economy. Some may have to quit and find jobs elsewhere with better hours. I agree they need to go back to square one and figure out the bare minimum needed and go from there. Maybe they could go to a 4 10 hour/day week to save on utilities etc. Maybe they could cut back on travel and postpone some training and new equipment purchases. I think cutting employees hours and/or positions should be the last thing on the table.
July 17, 2009 at 2:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jones743 (anonymous) says...
There is a way for Lyon County to improve its budget problem. Since the old courthouse has been remodeled, the county offices and court system could move back to the old courthouse. The new courthouse could be leased as a downtown shopping mall for all the new retail businesses coming to Emporia. This would generate income for the county.
There may have to be adjustments to fit in the old courthouse just as there were expansions made to fill the new courthouse.
July 17, 2009 at 4:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
I remember as a kid going to that old dump with my dad. All those big piles of stinky trash were like a treasure chest to a kid like me. I found many great toys there. The smell usually went away after a few weeks, but sometimes not. They don't really let you treasure hunt at the new place. That's to bad.
July 17, 2009 at 5:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
Oh, about the old court house, my grandpa had a sayin' "good enough for who it's for" and it was.
The new one is nice, too nice. Excessive.
July 17, 2009 at 5:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
For those of you who really believed your property taxes would go down with the new sales tax.........
We told you so you DA!
July 17, 2009 at 5:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
alfalfa (anonymous) says...
I only own farmland in Lyon county, I live in an adjoining one. The 411 is, either way money comes out of the local economy. If my taxes go up $100, that is $100 less I am spending on something else. I have never minded paying property taxes if I felt I was getting something in return. When I drive past or go into the Taj Mahal(Lyon County Courthouse) I do not feel that was money well spent. But, that ship has sailed, although I think the idea put forth by Jones743 is very interesting, and could work, but never will. These are the beginning of very interesting times in Lyon county and the surrounding area. At the end of the day, I predict poorer and unhappier taxpayers.
July 17, 2009 at 6:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
I would like to know what the County and City is going to do when there is no income from tax revenues, because the taxpayers will not be able to afford to pay their taxes !
For close on properties, have a tax sale, who will be able to buy the properties and then pay taxes on them ?
A rich Japanese buisnessman, The Chinese, Taiwanese, Koreans, etc.!
The problem is, the citizens of Lyon County and City of Emporia are expected to make budget adjustments and do without certain things ! And yet when it comes for the County or City government leaders to look at certain budget cuts, that becomes a horse of an entirely different color.
I have gone over the City of Emporias initial proposed 2010 budget draft and have managed to come up with $3,440,033 dollars in purchases etc., that I feel are unnecessary, at least untill things improve, if they do improve !
But of course what I feel is unnecessary is not necessarily what the City Commissioners or Department heads feel are unnecessary !
I haven't been able to obtain a County Budget 1st Draft. Perhaps someone can tell me where to obtain one.
July 17, 2009 at 7:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
1st draft of county budget is on line @ lyon county.
Be careful, my eyes started to cross on page 37.
July 17, 2009 at 8:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
spuds4all (anonymous) says...
I say fire the lot of them and replace them with volontiers that way we get people that really want to serve. not just a bunch of idiots that want GOOD pay with bennys and lots of paid holidays.
July 17, 2009 at 10:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )