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Geary County commissioners review salary data, benefits and in‑kind services in budget discussion
Summary
Commissioners examined a staff spreadsheet showing a 2019–2024 salary-and-benefits increase of about 11.68%, discussed how benefits are shown in departmental costs, and agreed to highlight in‑kind services in budget materials.
Geary County commissioners reviewed revised budget figures and discussed how salary increases and benefits are presented in departmental budgets during their July meeting.
Commissioners said staff-provided spreadsheets that include salaries and benefits show an increase of about 11.68% from 2019 to 2024, and that showing benefits alongside salaries makes departmental costs clearer for decision-makers and the public.
The discussion grew out of questions about how benefits had been removed and then restored in budget presentations. One commissioner said she had been using numbers that excluded benefits; after reviewing the version Tammy provided, the commissioner said the correct increase across 2019–2024 is about 11.68% when benefits are included. Commissioners and staff agreed the revised presentation better shows total personnel costs.
Members also discussed noncash (in‑kind) support the county provides to local organizations. Commissioners asked that staff summarize the value of in‑kind services so recipients and the public can see the county’s full contribution. The examples cited included rent‑free space provided to the Department of Motor Vehicles office and to the Soil Conservation office when those offices were retained locally.
Commissioners noted the county lost the Farm Service Agency office, which now operates out of Manhattan, in a change that affects some local farmers’ travel time for federal service appointments.
The exchange included requests that staff continue to clarify how benefits and in‑kind values are listed in future budget documents so commissioners and the public can readily compare department costs and understand total compensation packages.
