Proposed McLean Co. Budget Increases Spending
By: Jacob Long, WMBD/WYZZ-TV
Updated: September 18, 2012
BLOOMINGTON - McLean County is planning to spend more next year, but administrators say it is necessary.
"We've reached a point where I don't know how much longer we can wait," said McLean County Board Chairman Matt Sorensen.
All funds in the county's proposed FY13 budget total $78,122,953.
That's an increase of $1,297,652 or 1.7% over the county's FY12 budget.
County Administrator Bill Wasson said the increase is driven by wage increases and deferred projects.
In the spending plan, all non-union employees are set to get a 1.5% raise.
A number of projects are also slated to receive funding, including upgrades to elevators on county property and computer systems.
"I know as an example we've been deferring capital replacement of technology for a number of years in McLean County and we've reached a point in 2013 that some of those things are just going to happen," Sorensen said.
The budget also cuts two full-time positions and raises the county's property tax levy slightly.
It's slated to go up $0.00984 over FY12's levy, which was too much for board member George Wendt.
He argued the county needs to find savings to keep the levy the same, which Wasson said would require cutting $350,000 elsewhere.
Board member Erik Rankin quickly suggested the county stop printing 400 page budget packets and use an electronic format.
"These are a colossal waste of money," he said.
Wasson could not say Tuesday how much is spent on printing budget packets, but he said the county is moving toward electronic documents.
"It's something I think you'll see even implemented this fiscal year," he said.
Another point in the budget that drew concern was the county's EAV (equalized asses value).
It's dropping 1.4% in FY13 to its lowest point in McLean County since 1985.
Wasson said farmland values remain strong, but they only represent 7.2% of the county's total valuation.
He said the issue is sluggish residential and commercial growth. Wasson said modest valuation increases translate to millions less in property tax revenue over several years.
When asked if the county is working to spur growth, no specific action was given from the county's stand point.
But Sorensen highlighted many efforts underway by the McLean County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council.
"They're all doing good things," he said.
The budget will go through board committees before coming for a full vote in November.
"We've reached a point where I don't know how much longer we can wait," said McLean County Board Chairman Matt Sorensen.
All funds in the county's proposed FY13 budget total $78,122,953.
That's an increase of $1,297,652 or 1.7% over the county's FY12 budget.
County Administrator Bill Wasson said the increase is driven by wage increases and deferred projects.
In the spending plan, all non-union employees are set to get a 1.5% raise.
A number of projects are also slated to receive funding, including upgrades to elevators on county property and computer systems.
"I know as an example we've been deferring capital replacement of technology for a number of years in McLean County and we've reached a point in 2013 that some of those things are just going to happen," Sorensen said.
The budget also cuts two full-time positions and raises the county's property tax levy slightly.
It's slated to go up $0.00984 over FY12's levy, which was too much for board member George Wendt.
He argued the county needs to find savings to keep the levy the same, which Wasson said would require cutting $350,000 elsewhere.
Board member Erik Rankin quickly suggested the county stop printing 400 page budget packets and use an electronic format.
"These are a colossal waste of money," he said.
Wasson could not say Tuesday how much is spent on printing budget packets, but he said the county is moving toward electronic documents.
"It's something I think you'll see even implemented this fiscal year," he said.
Another point in the budget that drew concern was the county's EAV (equalized asses value).
It's dropping 1.4% in FY13 to its lowest point in McLean County since 1985.
Wasson said farmland values remain strong, but they only represent 7.2% of the county's total valuation.
He said the issue is sluggish residential and commercial growth. Wasson said modest valuation increases translate to millions less in property tax revenue over several years.
When asked if the county is working to spur growth, no specific action was given from the county's stand point.
But Sorensen highlighted many efforts underway by the McLean County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council.
"They're all doing good things," he said.
The budget will go through board committees before coming for a full vote in November.
