September 7, 2023 Thursday, 5:30 p.m.
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all three Commissioners and the County Clerk present for a special meeting to hold a Revenue Neutral Rate (RNR) hearing and a budget hearing.
Jason Silvers, Michael Hoyt, Clint Walker, Rachel Walker, and Anne Dare were present for some or all of the meeting.
Jim Harris opened the meeting with the flag salute followed by a prayer led by Nelson Blythe.
Jim made a motion to open the Revenue Neutral Rate hearing. Clifton seconded the motion and all approved.
Susan Walker, CFO, explained the changes to the RNR stating the revenue neutral rate is 56.586 mills and the proposed budget would exceed that at 59.907 mills.
Jim opened the floor for comments for any citizen that would like to speak. Michael Hoyt stated that RNR is smoke and mirrors and that it sounds good but is not. Clint Walker said it is admirable that you are trying to keep taxes lower.
Jim made a motion to close the RNR hearing. Clifton seconded the motion and all approved.
Clifton read resolution 15-23 a resolution to levy a property tax rate exceeding the revenue neutral rate. Jim made a motion to adopt resolution 15-23 and exceed the revenue neutral rate. Clifton seconded the motion and all approved. All three Commiossioners filled out the roll call form and indicated how they voted as well as signed resolution 15-23.
Clifton stated he felt that the RNR process is absurd and ridiculous. Jim agreed and said it felt like a dog and pony show.
Jim made a motion to open the budget hearing. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved.
Susan Walker, CFO, discussed the proposed 2024 budget. Susan put together a chart that showed the funding we receive as a county entity with 60% of that being from property taxes.
Jim opened the floor to comments for the budget hearing for any citizen that would like to speak.
Michael Hoyt spoke of the money that we disperse to other entities and stated we need to hear from them more often and asked if they know what our expectations of them are. Clint Walker said everywhere he has been departments come in and gave reports and updates on measurable things. Mr. Walker also stated that an entity refuses to go to bulk fuel when you can save 45-85 cents per gallon that adds up to a lot of money. Nelson stated he disagrees with appropriations on a principal level and he would defund a lot of things but the state mandates we have to fund them. Clifton said the majority of our budget is road and bridge and the Sheriff’s department and the appropriations are minimal and that to make a difference you would have to cut everybody 15-20% across the board. Clifton said that it had been previously looked into and to have our own health department would cost us $200,000-$300,000 per year and we currently pay $90,000 to the SEK Multi-County Health Department. Jim said he agrees with Clifton and that the appropriations only equal approximately ¾ of a mill. Jim stated he is from a school where sometimes people need help and he will help people as long as he sits here. Jim reiterated that the PILOT funds were used for Bourbon County REDI not taxpayer dollars. Clifton suggested showing Nelson the presentation Susan created before he was Commissioner that shows this Commission has done their job and lowered taxes.
Jim made a motion to close the budget hearing. Clifton seconded the motion and all approved.
Clifton made a motion to pass the 2024 budget as presented. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved.
All three Commissioners signed the 2024 budget certificate.
Clifton made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:09. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved.
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
___________________, Chairman
___________________, Commissioner
ATTEST: ___________________, Commissioner
Selena Alvarado, Bourbon County Deputy Clerk
9-11-2023 Approved Date