WASHINGTON

As noted during the public hearing discussion prior to approving the Washington County FY24-25 budget Tuesday, “the county’s backed into a corner” to cover services and operations in the face of cuts by the state and changes that have reduced and even eliminated local control. For the next fiscal year, the total property tax asking is 14.18%. That translates into levies of 9.42283 per $1,000 valuation for urban areas and 11.33789 for rural areas.

As noted by Supervisor Marcus Fedler, “people are saying taxes are out of control.”

For FY24-25, the total budget is $33,510,975; the current one is $34,124,313. However, the new budget includes the unexpected expense to replace the Wellman 911 emergency communications tower destroyed March 31, 2023, by a tornado. The county also had vehicle replacement and IT equipment for the sheriff’s department.

On the other side of the balance sheet there are three more TIF districts raising an additional $5 million in property valuation for the county. Of the total county funds, $15,827,521 is from property taxes; in FY23-24 it was $13,862,246.

Before the budget resolution was approved 5-0, further discussion concerned what could be cut, with supervisor Jack Seward, Jr, not favoring an across the board cut, instead stressing that we “cut what we can” after having conversations about all operations, services and needs.

In related action, by a 4-1 vote, the board approved the resolution setting FY25 salaries for county elected officials, reflecting a 3.5% increase, a 25% cut from the 4% recommendation from the county compensation board. Salaries are auditor, $104,982 (previously $101,433); county attorney, $166,011 ($160,397); recorder, $99,723 ($86,351); sheriff, $155,798 ($150,450); supervisor, $50,716 ($49,001); chairman stipend, $3,500, unchanged; treasurer, $101,166 ($97,745).

In other business, the board approved the quarterly report for general assistance that had requests for aid with utility payments and for Veterans Affairs that included two burials, all totaling $6,003.24.

The board approved the sheriff’s quarterly report that showed an ending balance of $55,891.63.

The board approved salary changes for four patrol deputies in line with their years of law enforcement experience: Jordan Ulin, Andrew Stanley, Ethan Hansen, Greyson Robe, all to acknowledge five years’ experience, including at prior departments, all effective this month.

The board learned there will be a pre-bid conference for the Orchard Hill and Courthouse improvements, set for 1:30 p.m. Thursday, April 25.

The board discussed changes brought by the changes in commissions and boards and the consolidation of the state Human Services and Health Department into the single Human and Health Services with hiring an Administrative Services Organization, which, noted Seward, effectively takes out local control effective June 30. It is move that will put services in the hands of those who will bid for the contract, which could be with non-profits or for-profit firms.

Exactly how all will be transitioned throughout the state is not really known, he added. He also reported that interviews of all candidates for the new administrator post of the country health department were held Saturday. No decision has yet been made, but a recommendation from the search committee could come at the regular board meeting Thursday.