Johnson County Council adopts budgets, tax levies for special taxing units

Johnson County Council on Thursday adopted budgets and tax levies for multiple special taxing units, including the county solid waste fund and several fire protection districts, and approved a resolution to petition for an increase above the maximum levy for Barbersville Fire Protection District.

The actions were taken at a special meeting called for adoption of special taxing-unit budgets. Michelle Ann Graves moved to adopt each budget and levy as read; motions were seconded by other council members and approved by voice vote. Caitlin Schafer of Reedy Financial Group gave a brief update on Barbersville’s bond structure and project costs before the council considered a related resolution.

Why it matters: These adopted budgets set the tax levies and rates used to finance local special districts — predominantly fire protection and a conservancy district — that provide services paid outside the county general fund. Changes to levies affect property taxpayers inside each taxing unit.

Council action and discussion

Michelle Ann Graves moved to adopt the Johnson County Solid Waste budget as read. The council approved the motion by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the meeting transcript. The council then moved through a series of largely…