The Marion County Board has approved a 3.4 percent increase in its tax levy that would result in a $230,000 increase in property tax collections next year.
Finance Committee Chair Chris Krupp said the increase was needed to help cover a projected deficit in next year’s budget. Krupp said the $353,000 deficit would increase to $577,000 without the increase.
Some board members were concerned they were being asked to approve the tax levy without ever seeing a budget. Krupp said the budget would be completed in the next week and presented to the full board at its next meeting or a special meeting so it can be in place December 1st when the new fiscal year begins.
While there was a sizeable number of representatives of the Concerned Taxpayers organization only one spoke. Josh Dunahee questioned the need for a generator for the courthouse when power rarely goes out. He noted without that expense, the county could once again have a tax levy with no increase.
There was some confusion over how much surplus the board would have entering the new fiscal year to cover any shortfall. Krupp answered there would be a more than $3 million surplus.
But Board Chair Debbie Smith countered that the extra money was needed due to rising cost and the need for the county to build and operate its own animal shelter.
There were three no votes on the tax levy from Brock Waggoner, Tyler McHenry, and Steve Whritenour. Whritenour later told WJBD/WSIQ news his no vote was because no budget was presented to support the need for an increased levy.
Earlier in the meeting, the board approved its partially self-funded health insurance policy for the coming year with a 2.3 percent increase in premiums. The county will continue to self-insure the first $37,500 in medical bills per employee.
The board also approved a $17,000 increase in the county’s auto and liability insurance policies bringing the cost to $367,000
