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Scotts Bluff County sets budget hearing, final approval dates; commissioners discuss levy and public participation
Summary
The board scheduled a public budget hearing for Sept. 15 and set a final commissioner meeting for Sept. 25 to approve the budget. Commissioners also reviewed levy figures, joint public hearing logistics and heard public comments about road work and transparency.
The Scotts Bluff County Board of Commissioners set a schedule for its final budget process and discussed levy figures and public participation at its meeting.
County officials said the board will hold a budget hearing on Sept. 15 at 4:30 p.m. to receive public comment. A joint public hearing, described in the meeting as the “pink postcard” hearing that includes political subdivisions, is scheduled for Sept. 22 at the Geary Civic Center; county staff asked political subdivisions to confirm participation by Sept. 4 so the county can send required postcards. Commissioners agreed to hold the county’s final approval meeting at 4:00 p.m. on Sept. 25 to adopt the budget and set the levy.
County fiscal staff presented preliminary levy figures and a bottom‑line budget estimate. The clerk reported last year’s levy as 0.3062013 and the current‑year levy as 0.36741. The bottom‑line budget figure discussed in the meeting was approximately $15,293,952, staff said; commissioners described that number as close to prior discussions. Commissioners did not adopt a final levy at the meeting; the dates were set so the public may comment at the upcoming hearings before final action.
Public commenters and commissioners debated meeting times and public access. Resident Mitch Wagers urged officials not to “demean the public” for failing to attend budget meetings and said many people cannot attend meetings held during business hours. “I would prefer that commissioners or any elected official doesn't demean the public, their constituency, about not coming to budget meetings,” Wagers said. Another resident praised the county road crew for work on County Road P and thanked staff for the repairs and safety improvements.
Staff also reported upcoming regional events and outreach: the State of the Valley event on Oct. 22; a NERMA webinar on reducing workers’ compensation costs; and a NACO regional meeting in Bridgeport on Sept. 24. County staff asked political subdivisions to RSVP by Sept. 4 if they will participate in the joint public hearing so postcards can be mailed to taxpayers.
No final budget vote was taken at the meeting. The board indicated the budget will return to the commissioners for a formal vote at the Sept. 25 meeting after the public hearings.
