City Department outlines $1.6M budget focusing on personnel amid election preparation

The Johnson County Board of Supervisors held a work session on December 16, 2024, to discuss the upcoming budget for the fiscal year. The meeting primarily focused on the budget allocations for various departments, with significant emphasis on personnel costs and upcoming changes due to new technology.

The total budget for the discussed departments is approximately $1.6 million, with a staggering 98% allocated to personnel expenses. This budget covers 14 full-time positions and one part-time position. The non-personnel portion remains unchanged from the previous year at $36,000, with minor adjustments made to reflect actual expense bookings.

A notable point of discussion was the Workday project, set to go live in mid-2025. Officials expressed uncertainty regarding the workload and business process changes that would arise from this new technology, indicating that a more comprehensive assessment of budgetary needs would be possible in the following year.

In terms of revenue, the budget reflects a decrease in funds from voter lists, attributed to the absence of a general election year. Adjustments were made to various line items, including reductions in maintenance costs for voting equipment and stationery. The budget also includes provisions for the upcoming city school election in 2025 and the primary election in 2026.

The meeting concluded with discussions about potential retirements within the department, with one confirmed retirement in January and others anticipated later in the year, post-Workday implementation. Overall, the session highlighted the county's focus on maintaining budgetary stability while preparing for future changes in operations and technology.