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County mill levy will not increase

See county budget on page 7; budget hearing is Aug. 20

Staff reporter

The pencil didn't need to be sharpened too much Monday when Marion County Commission finalized the budget for next year with no mill increase.

Auditor Scot Loyd of Swindoll, Janzen, Hawk & Loyd, reviewed the proposed budget first thing Monday morning and then returned Monday afternoon to finalize the document for publication in the county's official newspaper, the Marion County Record.

Loyd noted there was an increase of $109,923 in employee benefits and a decrease of $180,000 of county revenue.

However, the county will maintain the same mill levy as the previous year.

It was noted that $125,000 was set aside for expenses associated with a new law enforcement center, the economic development department's budget was increased by $11,000, and a second $50,000 was budgeted to assist with a strategic plan for the WRAPS program at Marion Reservoir. The county budgeted $50,000 in 2007 to assist with the program.

Merit increases of up to three percent per employee were factored in the 2008 budget with other pay increases considered for those employees with 10 years or more of service.

The merit increases did not include a three percent increase for elected officials and a plan to bring those elected officials to at least 88 percent of the average pay same or similar positions at other counties and cities receive.

Loyd suggested the additional funds needed for the increases could come from capital outlay and the elderly department mill levy could be raised to accommodate the pay increase.

The elderly department's budget of $83,757 was tight, Loyd said, leaving no room for pay increases. The general budget's mill levy would be decreased to offset the other mill levy increase, thus maintaining the same mill levy amount.

Commissioner Dan Holub said new employees need to be hired at a comparable level of pay so "everybody would be on the same page" at 88 percent of the median.

Commissioner Bob Hein said a maximum three percent merit raise was a "good raise," particularly compared with other counties like Reno County that budgeted for a two percent pay increase.

Holub said it was important for elected officials to be included in the pay raises so they can stay in line with the employees within their departments.

County clerk Carol Maggard informed the commission that Marion County Improvement District #2 probably will increase the monthly water fees which will impact the county lake's budget.

Loyd commended the commission for reducing the county's debt load from more than $1 million to $840,000.

The public hearing for the 2008 budget will be at 9 a.m. Aug. 20 at the courthouse.

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