Benton levy falls 3.3% with effort to address tax rates
By Kirsti Marohn, St. Cloud Times, Minn. | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
The county board on Tuesday approved a preliminary 2015 levy of
The move is part of an ongoing effort by
"It's been a goal for the board for a number of years," board Chairman
Counties had a Tuesday deadline to pass a preliminary budget and levy. They can reduce the amount when they pass a final budget and levy in December, but not increase it.
"I think our board was certainly responding to the recession and the desire they have to try and bring our tax rate down, make our tax rate more competitive with our neighbors and reduce the burden on our property owners," Headley said.
The county was able to reduce the levy mainly by using reserves to cover the final three years of payments on three older bonds sales that pay for the jail, the public works building and Bend in the
The county had enough in reserve to cover more than eight months of expenditures, more than its standard of six months, Headley said.
The budget includes funding for two new positions in human services, which has seen increased caseloads. Two part-time positions in that department will be moved to full time.
The budget also adds about
The county took formal bids for employee health insurance for next year, which resulted in an average increase of 8 percent in health insurance premiums. That amount will be shared equally between the employees and the county, at a cost of
Other spending increases in the budget include
An additional
County officials also anticipate to save payroll costs due to retirements and new employees starting at a lower wage.
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