By Steven Spencer
The Calhoun County Board of Commissioners approved a 2% tax levy at the most recent meeting on Monday, Nov. 6.
“We estimate that our levy with corporate and special monies will be $1,509,890, and what we have to conclude here today is if we want that estimated levy to go up,” Chairman Phil Robeen said. “I will tell you that while the cost of everything is going up, the county at the moment is in pretty decent financial shape.”
Robeen added that County owned vehicles and equipment is in pretty good shape but said he could see salaries for elected officials possibly increasing. Nonetheless, after last year’s increase of 4.99%, a motion was made by Commissioner Terry Woelfel for a 0% levy increase which did not pass.
“Before that we were very diligent in not doing that, I think we had zeros and ones and twos,” Robeen said about previous years. “My recommendation, being that we went to 4.99 last year, I think that we go to no more than 1% if even 1% this year.”
Commissioner Patrick Simon stated that expenses are also changing noting that courts are not collecting as much money from bail, and to continue making improvements in areas such as salaries, police protection, public safety, the levy would need to be higher.
“I don’t like taxes either or raising taxes, but to be fiscally responsible this requires the correct budgeting,” he said.
Robeen also noted, considering budgeting purposes, about $31,000 more will possibly be needed next year just for salaries.
Following the board’s discussion Commission Simon motioned for a 2% tax levy rate increase which passed with Commissioners Terry Woelfel and Deanne Fester voting against the motion.
At 2% the levy is estimated at $1,540,087.80.
In other business, the board announced at the meeting that Peggy Hall had completed the required certifications for the role of Supervisor of Assessments for the county.
A motion was made by Commissioner Simon to nominated Hall to fill the vacancy of Supervisor of Assessments which passed unanimously.
