Daviess County Clerk and Chief Budget Officer Ronetta Burton presented the Daviess County 2021 Budget Message at the Daviess County Commission meeting held Jan. 27.
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The clerk’s message gives a preview of valuable information and estimates for Daviess County for the year 2021. This budget message is required by The County Budget Law (RSMo. 50.525 to 50.745). It reads as follows:
“The Commission voted in August of 2020 to restore $0.15 of our rolled-back levy which resulted in a total levy of $0.2693 per $100 of valuation. The county has a maximum voted levy of $0.40. This will allow Daviess County to remain in a stable financial condition. In 2021 the county will begin with a total fund balance of $3,569,343.61, have estimated total revenues of $4,936,783.32, and estimated total expenditures of $5,168,909.75. These numbers represent a balanced budget for General Revenue with an estimated budget surplus for 2021 of $87,577.93. The Law Enforcement Sales Tax Fund, Capital Improvements Fund, and Prosecuting Attorney Admin Handling Fund, along with fourteen other segregated funds, have budgeted use of $218,793.41 of their individual carryover funds to supplement their 2021 budgets. All revenues and expenditures are in line with previous budgets.
“Daviess County’s assessed valuations grew 2.8% in 2020 with a real estate valuation of $107,554,851 and a personal property valuation of $37,054,250. There was $2,814,633 in new real estate construction reported by the Assessor. Tax levies for 2020 were as follows: General Revenue – $0.2693, Senior Services – $0.0498, and County Disabilities (SB 40) – $0.0922. Sales tax revenue in 2020 was up 23% and use tax revenue was up 39% due to more local and online purchasing.
“The Commission will continue to repair and maintain our beautiful historic courthouse with plans in 2021 to continue the sealing project for the outside of the courthouse, repair and repaint the interior walls on the north side of the building, and to continue with plans to upgrade the heating and air conditioning as soon as funds will allow.
“In 2020 the County continued to rebuild from the substantial losses suffered in 2019 flooding. Many bridges and culverts have been replaced and repaired, including a complete rebuild and expansion of a bridge on Jump Avenue in Jamesport Township, and relocation of a portion of Saber Road in Union Township. Federal and State disaster funds were aggressively sought and were finally received to cover 75% of the county’s losses.
“Again this year the Commission did not approve a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), however, they did allow Office Holders to adjust some full-time hourly employees to make wages more equitable across the board, and to continue to remain competitive in the market.
“Insurance costs remained stable this year, and the Commission continued with requiring employees to pay $31 each month of their health insurance cost. The County reduced their offering to two plans, while maintaining additional coverage for vision and dental plans available for employee purchase.
“As always, it is the main goal of the Commission to monitor revenue and spending for all funds, and to be conscientious oversight for the taxpayers’ money. They also endeavor to repair, maintain and preserve the physical and historical integrity of the county’s buildings. This, along with the Elected Officials working together to cut costs, while still providing necessary services, with excellent customer service is what makes Daviess County a great place to live, work, and raise a family.
Daviess County remains in stable financial condition with General Revenue reserves for 2021.”