Butler County Commissioners approved the 2012 budget by a 3-2 vote after holding a public hearing during their meeting Tuesday.
Prior to the vote, Sherry Smith and Ron Jordan voiced their opinions on the budget.
“One thing I think can be taken out is the COLA (cost of living adjustment) raise,” said Smith. “People in the private sector aren’t getting that. It’s not fair that public employees should get a raise when private sector workers are losing their jobs.”
Jordan agreed with Smith about the COLA raises and thanked the commissioners for the work they do for Butler County.
“I would like to urge the commissioners to be careful with this budget,” said Jordan. “Now is not the time for major spending.”
After the conclusion of the public hearing, the commissioners voted on a $40,541,400 budget with a mill levy of 35.781. The budget includes an increase of 5 percent for the treasurer, register of deeds and the county clerk. The sheriff and county attorney are getting a 1 percent increase. The county commissioners are not getting a salary increase at this time.
The 2011 budget was $39 million with a mill levy of 35.835.
Commissioners Bruce Harris, Mike Wheeler and Dan Woydziak voted in favor of the budget while Commissioners Jeff Masterson and Peggy Palmer were opposed.
“I cannot support a budget that represents a six percent increase in spending and a property tax increase,” said Palmer. “The county’s appraised valuation increased and new dollars have been generated. A flat mill levy does not reflect less spending or lower taxes.”
In other business, the commission:
• heard from Garry Hoy, Sycamore Township treasurer, who is displeased with the relationships among township board members.
• held a public hearing on the 2012 Butler County fire district budgets #1-#9.
• approved resolutions 11-17 through 11-23 expressing the property taxation policy of the Board of Butler County Commissioners with respect to the financing the 2012 annual budget for fire districts #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, and #9. The motion passed 4-1 with Palmer opposed.
• approved the 2012 Butler County Fire District budgets #1 through #9. The motion passed 4-1 with Palmer opposed.
• granted approval to allow the Butler County Attorney’s Office to apply for a continuation of the Federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant.
• approved the contract for the milling and bituminous surfacing project through the City of Benton and on Southwest 30th Street south of Benton.
• approved a request for reimbursement from KDHE for the second round of funding for recycling e-waste containing cathode ray tubes.
• held a work session to discuss the county’s banking request for proposals.
• appointed Carolyn Hale as Andover’s representative for the Wichita Area Metropolitan Planning Organization.
