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Commissioners weigh using interest income versus keeping larger cash reserve to manage mills
Summary
County staff showed that adding a recent interest receipt to the levy worksheets reduces estimated mills substantially; commissioners debated whether to use that one‑time income to lower mills now or to preserve reserves for future stability and capital projects.
Staff (S1) told commissioners that accounting for recently received interest income raised the county’s fund balance and, depending on the cash‑reserve choice, changed estimated mills from roughly 69.14 (with a larger reserve) down to 52.62 (with a $2,000,000 reserve) or 59.64 (with $2,500,000).
"With that interest accounted for... it brought the mills down to 52.62," staff (S1) said when walking through worksheet scenarios. Commissioner (S2) cautioned that the interest is a one‑time gain and urged considering using it for capital needs rather than permanently reducing the levy: "I think a better use of that million would be to put it possibly towards the jail project." Several commissioners said they want to identify a target reserve percentage for future budget planning so the mill impact is predictable.
The staff presenter said updated 3% cap worksheets and final valuation numbers are pending; commissioners directed staff to return with firm calculations showing the impact of alternative reserve targets before finalizing the levy.
