County proposes lower tax rate in new budget

Higher property valuations and lower health insurance premiums are allowing Donley County officials to consider a slightly lower total county tax rate, according to the proposed 2005-2006 budget filed in the clerk’s office last Friday.

The $1.9 million budget allows for raises for county employees and for increased fuel and utility costs while proposing a combined county tax rate of $0.492746 per $100 valuation. Last year’s rate was $0.49877.

Almost all the county’s employees would receive a three percent raise. The only exceptions would be the county commissioners, who did not take a raise, and Constable Mike Wallendorff, who had requested his salary be increased to the same level as a beginning deputy. His salary would increase from $17,866.95 to $22,500.

The proposed budget includes money requested by Sheriff Butch Blackburn for a new deputy whose primary function would be traffic control.

Commissioners also included a $250 per month increase for the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department to combat rural fires.

The taxable value of ad valorem property in the county has increased more than $6.2 million.

Budget hearings will be held at 9 a.m. on September 6 and 9 in the Commissioners’ Courtroom of the Courthouse. Final approval of the budget will come at a called meeting on September 16.

In other county business, commissionres met in regular session August 8. Among the items of business considered by the court, bids were accepted for delinquent tax property at Howardwick as presented by the Donley Appraisal District.

Five hours of comp time were approved for former Extension service employee Monica Wheelus.

A resolution was approved adopting the National Incident Management System (NIMS), which will require all county, EMS, fire department, and law enforcement personnel to receive certain accreditation through the Department of Homeland Security.

The bond for County Attorney Pro Tem Kaye Messer was approved.

The county approved an agreement with Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railroad to close the crossing at CR LL and create a new crossing on CR 5 with lights, gates, and a 32-foot concrete surface.

The appointment of election judges was approved, and a county burn ban was ordered as requested by the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department.

The court also met in called session on August 17, 18, and 19 to consider the 2005-2006 county budget.