Clay County Commissioners have finalized an estimated $11.2 million budget for the new fiscal year with no tax increase.
Clay County Mayor Dale Reagan said the most challenging part about this year’s budget, determining what could be provided for department heads. Reagan said 75 percent of the budget consists of expenditures that the county cannot control. Reagan said avoiding a tax increase was a county commission focus throughout the budget process.
“That’s our goal is to always try to, you know, to be mindful of, you know, our constituents out there when it comes to taxes and stuff,” Reagan said. “But now, it does take revenue to operate and to provide the services and stuff.”
Reagan said the budget will also include a two percent raise for county employees. Reagan said he and the county commission wish the county could have given a better raise, but a two percent raise was the minimum target.
“Hopefully that will help out, you know, some,” Reagan said. “And as time goes on, you know, as our growth continues to grow, maybe we will be able to do something more. You know, and hopefully try to keep that property tax rate as low as we possibly can.”
Reagan said he tries to stress a conservative budget approach to avoid having to use the fund balance to cover expenditures.
“We don’t use that unless we absolutely have to, because that is just like a savings account that you have at home,” Reagan said. “And you have that laid back for emergencies and stuff, and I mean, as long as we stay within our means and we are not having to dip into our savings account or our fund balance, then we should be okay.”
Reagan said the county commission also approved the estimated $2.4 million budget for the county’s Highway Department. The tax rate for Clay County is $2.60 per $100 of assessed value. It did not change despite a dip in sales tax revenue.