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Sioux County adopts 2019–20 budget; property-tax request set at $1.41 million
Summary
After a public hearing with strong objections about road conditions and tax increases, the Sioux County Board of Commissioners adopted the 2019–20 budget with a property-tax request of $1,413,626, a proposed tax rate of 0.215842. Commissioners cited FEMA work and expected reimbursements as a key cash-flow factor.
Sioux County commissioners adopted the fiscal year 2019–20 budget on Sept. 5, 2019, approving a property-tax request of $1,413,626 and a proposed county tax rate of 0.215842.
At a public hearing before the vote, ranchers and residents urged caution on raising taxes and pressed the board to prioritize roads and fiscal restraint. “The increase is unreasonable, unconscionable,” local rancher Jack Buhr told commissioners, warning that agricultural families will feel the burden if levies rise when market conditions are poor (SEG 287). Jodi Thomsen said taxes already weigh heavily on her household and asked why services such as road maintenance have not improved despite higher spending (SEG 289). Commissioners responded that significant FEMA-related work and storm damage have strained cash flow and that reimbursements may lag months or more.
Commissioner J.W. Geiser said the county has confronted “major damages from storms,” and that the board is trying to restore roads and financial stability rather than simply maintain them (SEG 288). Chairman Joshua Skavdahl added that the board hopes to build cash reserves this year and reduce the levy when reimbursements are received (SEG 306).
After public comment and discussion, the board unanimously approved the budget and a separate motion to permit an additional one-percent increase in the base limitation of restricted funds (SEGs 306–307). The action follows earlier 2019 decisions to transfer and loan funds between the Inheritance Fund and the General Fund to meet short-term obligations (see related coverage). The board’s vote was recorded as Downer, yes; Geiser, yes; Skavdahl, yes where roll calls are noted (SEG 306).
The adopted budget will fund county operations, planned road projects and continued FEMA-related repairs; the board said future levy changes will depend on the timing and size of reimbursements and on year-end cash balances (SEGs 306–307).
