In their extended meeting Thursday, the Kosciusko County Council wrapped up a number of budget issues before having a public hearing on the proposed 2025 budget.
Those final issues, according to Council Vice President Kathy Groninger, included adding a line item for surveyor allowance for section corners and drainage miles at $6,997.
A line item for assistant system administrator at $83,871 was removed as “Eric and Scott will move into Bob and Paul’s position, leaving their positions empty, which will be filled by one new technology assistant,” she said. Bob Momeyer and Paul Henning, the county’s IT staff, are retiring.
The part-time position of an Emergency Management Agency coordinator at $27,000 (20 hours per week), per the request of EMA Director Kip Shuter, was added in the budget.
The line item for a part-time work release food service employee at $30,514 was removed because a full-time work release food service employee is being added.
Groninger then read an ordinance, which is required to be read into the record on two separate occasions prior to its adoption, on the 2025 budget estimates.
The general fund advertised amount is $33,006,557. It is expected to raise $14.8 million of that through taxes. The assessed value estimate is $7,683,102,659, with an estimated rate of $0.1926 per $100 of assessed valuation.
The health fund advertised amount is $1,296,775. The property tax levy estimate is $1.5 million, with an estimated property tax rate of $0.0195.
The cumulative bridge fund advertised amount is $1.46 million. The property tax levy estimate is $1.5 million with an estimated property tax rate of $0.0195.
The reassessment fund advertised amount is $609,332. The property tax levy estimate is $800,000 with an estimated property tax rate of $0.0104.
The cumulative capital development fund advertised amount is $4,155,200. The property tax levy estimate is $3 million with an estimated property tax rate of $0.039.
“The 2024 total tax rate was $0.2122,” Groninger said. “Clarification is needed on a few items prior to the budget adoption on Oct. 10, 2024. Budgets may be adjusted before the Oct. 10 adoption date.”
Earlier in the meeting, the council also approved the 2025 budget for the Kosciusko County Solid Waste Management District at $451,600.
The budget hearing was opened to the public for comment, but no one spoke so the hearing was closed.