Treasure County sets preliminary mills at 49.72 amid audit of permissive medical levy spike; 2.5% salary increase approved

County accounting staff told commissioners that the permissive medical levy base rose substantially from about 26.73 mils last year to 49.72 this year. Commissioners agreed to set their preliminary mills at 49.72 to meet statutory deadlines but directed staff to audit journal entries, carryover cash and prior‑period adjustments to determine the cause of the spike and whether a budget amendment or prior‑period adjustment is required.

"My main focus this week is on this permissive medical to see what went wonky where and check our carryover cash," a county finance official said during discussion. Commissioners noted the legal maximum for the levy is 52 mils and that the currently proposed figure of 49.72 keeps the county under that limit.

After discussion, the board moved, seconded and approved a resolution to set mills as proposed and then approved a resolution to set salaries with a 2.5% increase. Commissioners emphasized the need for clarity on which journal entries and transfers created negative carryover cash and asked staff (including the clerk/treasurer) to return with detailed reconciliations and any required budget amendments before finalizing tax notices to the state.

Next steps recorded in the meeting: staff will review the permissive medical ledger and prior entries, prepare any necessary budget amendments or prior‑period adjustments, and finalize the mill levy resolution before state deadlines. Commissioners agreed to send the required resolution documents to the state by the established schedule and to revisit the levy in advance of tax billing if reconciliation warrants adjustment.