County officials debate budget cuts amid rising property taxes

In a recent Finney County government meeting, significant discussions centered around the introduction of new extension agents, the approval of observed holidays for 2025, and the county's budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

Carolyn Crouch, the district director for the West Plains Extension District, introduced two new agents: Lauren Linton, the agriculture and natural resource agent, and Tori Mok, a 4-H and youth development agent. Both agents expressed enthusiasm for their roles and outlined their plans to engage with the community through various programs.

The board also approved the observed holidays for 2025, which will result in the closure of all county buildings on designated days. Notably, Veterans Day will not be listed among the holidays, but veterans will still receive the day off.

A key agenda item was the discussion of workplace violence training scheduled for October 11, which will necessitate a partial closure of the Finney County administration building. The training, provided by the Garden City Police Department, aims to enhance safety protocols for county staff and visitors.

The meeting also addressed a significant scanning project initiated by the register of deeds office to archive all records, with a budget of approximately $208,648.86. This project aims to improve the quality of archived documents and will be funded from the technology fund, ensuring no impact on the county's general budget.

In terms of fiscal matters, the board discussed carryover budgets for youth and adult correction services, totaling $84,424.80 and $303,942.13, respectively. These funds are derived from previous years' revenues and are not covered by grant funds.

The meeting culminated in a public hearing regarding the 2025 budget, where residents voiced concerns about rising property taxes and the county's decision to exceed the revenue neutral rate. Several citizens expressed frustration over increasing valuations and the burden on fixed-income households. The board acknowledged these concerns while discussing the necessity of maintaining adequate funding for essential services.

As the meeting progressed, the commissioners debated the proposed budget, with some advocating for a mill levy of 47.03, while others suggested maintaining the proposed rate of 49.016. The discussions highlighted the ongoing challenge of balancing taxpayer concerns with the need for sufficient funding to support county operations and services.

Overall, the meeting underscored the county's commitment to community engagement, safety training, and fiscal responsibility, while also addressing the pressing concerns of its residents regarding taxation and budgetary priorities.