Commissioners Set 2015 Budget, Approve Pay Hikes

Fairgrounds Arena

The Prowers County Commissioners approved the 2015 budget this past Thursday, December 11.  Expenditures for twelve different areas amounted to $21,240,438, including  $6,731,413 for the General Fund, $4,081,000 for the Department of Human Services, Road and Bridge Fund at $2,690,356 and $3,227,407 for Sales and Use Tax Fund.  The commissioners had considered a temporary four mill decrease in the annual mill levy, following a $3,000,000 windfall settlement earlier this year.  However, the mill levy will remain unchanged at 27.17 for all taxable property in Prowers County for 2015.  There was a drop in total taxable assessed valuation of $125,676 from last year, from $122,901,471 down to $121,644,714.

Shake Shingles on WPA Roof

Some improvements and upgrades to various county holdings have been included in the new budget, as outlined in the annual commissioner’s message regarding expenses and revenues for 2015.  Additional restroom upgrades will be funded for the fairgrounds and shower facilities will be added at a cost of $234,800.  An upgraded courthouse phone system has been funded at a cost of $22,000.   The county will spend $61,500 for new roofs at the WPA buildings on East Maple Street.  The parking lots at the courthouse and annex will be resurfaced for $60,000 and water pipes at the annex will be replaced for $24,020.

Parking Lot East of Courthouse

The commissioners approved pay raises for county employees. Effective in 2015, all county employees earning $16.99 per hour and less will receive a fifty cent per hour pay raise.  All employees earning $17 and more per hour will receive a 3% pay increase which translates to a minimum of fifty-one cents per hour at the $17 level.  The entire county budget is available on the Prowers County website.

By Russ Baldwin