Resident asks why county certifies mill levies before Dec. 15; staff explains county vs. school process

During the public portion of the Dec. 8 budget workshop a resident questioned the timing of mill levy certifications, asking why the county was approving mills before the Dec. 15 deadline.

County staff explained that the county certifies levies that affect the county budget at this meeting so the assessor and county budget processes have time to finalize certification and postings. Staff clarified that school mill levies follow a separate certification process and generally do not change the county's portion of the budget; the county's certifications are those levies that directly affect county expenditures.

The resident pressed: "So you're saying you're going to do this again because the school has not completed their milling certification. So we're not approving yours." County budget staff replied that the county's action covers the county's levy lines and that schools submit their separate certifications as required; the county confirmed approvals today will not adversely affect the resident's tax reporting window.

The board agreed to accept the county certifications now to meet assessor timelines and recommended the resident bring any additional procedural questions to the assessor's office or to the next scheduled meeting.