Prowers County Approves 2012 Budget

Prowers County Courthouse

The 2012 Prowers County budget, approved by the county commissioners following December 8 public hearing, totals $17,665,344, a decrease from the 2011 budget which is $18,128,583.  Tax mills for 2012 are unchanged from 2011 at 27.17.    Funds generated from the mill levy have increased $44,000 over last year to $3,359,257.  The assessment is based on county taxable property which is $123,638,476. 

The budget breakdown for 2012 is compared here, to 2011 figures: 

                                                    2012                                      2011 

General Fund                     6,393,394                             7,722,690
Road/Bridge                      2,857,719                             2,997,926
Sales/Use Tax                    1,875,000                             1,728,730
Contingency                          374,622                                 374,513
Public Library                         35,520                                   70,208
Conservation Trust                51,098                                   56,057
Capital Fund                           48,188                                 318,240
Outside Agency                    613,734                                 562,916
Lodging Tax                              84,253                                 133,742
Social Services                  3,727,975                             4,163,561
Public Health Agy             1,603,801                                    N/A
Total                                 17,665,344                           18,128,583 

In other action, the county commissioners approved the 2012 annual agreement between the Prowers County Sheriff’s Office and the Town of Holly for law enforcement services.  Approval was given to Emily Montoya, LiveWell program director for use of county kitchens in a Cooking Matters Class program.  The kitchens at the Welcome Home Center and a social services building at the county annex will be made available.  Conditional approval was granted for the contract with Charise Boomsma, President of The Preservation Studio, Inc., for the replacement of the Big Timbers Museum roof.

A public hearing was held on a tavern liquor license application for Lynn C. Kennedy at 1310 North Main Street, Opal’s Pub.  The facility will be leased to Kennedy by owner, Bonnie Kemp.  A delay in approval has resulted from lost fingerprint reports.  All other paperwork on the license is in order.  The commissioners will address the application at their next meeting.  Changes on the liquor license for the Spreading Antlers County Club were tabled.  It was noted that Jane Felter, current member of the Prowers County Lodging Tax Panel, would not ask to be considered for a new, three year term.  There are three positions open for panel members and two current members, Judy Douglass and Anis Malkan have indicated they would like to continue to serve on the panel.         

By Russ Baldwin