2019 County budget approved with assessed value of $92,976,300
Phillips County Board of Commissioners adopted the 2019 County budget Dec. 10. Commissioners again adopted a total mill levy of 28.28. This year, the county’s assessed value increased slightly, from $92,726,290 in 2018 to $92,976,300 in 2019.
There was $628,050 of new construction in the county, with minor property value increases occurring in residential, commercial and agricultural land. Overall property tax collection will increase $7,070. Total county tax dollars collected will be $2,629,370.
The mill levy includes 21.45 mills for the general fund, 4.23 for road and bridge, 1.6 for social services and 1.0 for capital expenditures.
The county general fund budget increased $246,593, from $3,497,593 in 2018 to $3,743,992 in 2019. With very little increase in property tax income, the 2019 budget was very tight. State-mandated salary increases for elected officials were a large part of the increase in the general fund budget. They accounted for an $87,068 increase when FICA and retirement are included.
The clerk, treasurer and assessor positions all move from an annual salary of $43,800 to $60,449, the sheriff moves from $49,100 to $67,764 and the coroner moves from $9,900 to $13,663. The last increase elected officials received was in 2007. This increase gives them a 3 percent increase for each of the last 10 years, plus a cost of living adjustment, also mandated by the State Legislature.
The board approved a flat $51 per month of additional pay per qualified employee, regular employee step increases, increased health care costs and limited capital expenditure requests. Most other budget items remain stable. The salary compensation plan put in place Jan. 1, 2000, will not be adjusted for cost of living in 2019.
The County’s health insurance increased 9.5 percent overall. The County picks up a majority of the increase, but employees also pay from 20-35 percent of the premium, depending on their plan. Their costs increased proportionally.
The County provides five health plans, all carrying a deductible that the County will pick up in 2019 for those on the high-deductible plan. The County has been paying all of the single health insurance plan for elected officials because of the long period of no salary increase. Commissioners decided to revert to paying 80 percent of the single plan (same as other County employees) after someone is re-elected.
The road and bridge budget went from $2,115,221 in 2018 to $2,161,210 in 2019. The fund balance for road and bridge has vastly improved. The County received an additional $217,826 from the State General Fund in 2018 above and beyond the regular HUTF amount. Highway Users Tax Funds from federal and state gas taxes continue to be the major revenue for road and bridge. The estimated HUTF income for 2019 is $1,257,737 — a decrease of $18,210 from 2018 projections.
County officials estimate that they will receive another contribution from the State General Fund in 2019 of approximately $72,000. The mill levy for road and bridge will be 4.23 for 2019.
The county road and bridge fund has no outstanding lease-purchase agreements. At the end of March, the County will be finishing up a three-year lease of three John Deere graders. The annual cost of that lease is $62,898. Commissioners have approved the purchase of three new 2019 John Deere 672 road graders at a cost of $253,500 each. The County will pursue lease-purchase financing when the purchase is finalized.
Other County fund budgets include the Human Services Fund of $991,362 (a decrease of $17,405 over last year), Contingency Fund at $170,309, Conservation Trust Fund (lottery funds) of $8,500, E911 Fund of $121,780 and Economic Development Fund of $60,551.
The Capital Expenditure Fund has a budget of $235,338. Capital expenditure funds will be used for a variety of capital projects, as well as to pay the annual lease-purchase agreement for the pavilion. In 2018, the County installed new air conditioning units and carpeting in the administration, treasurer’s and assessor’s offices. The last year of a three-year courthouse painting project was also completed. The County hopes to complete the State Historical Fund coal bin roof project this month.
A new fund was created for the Fairgrounds Pavilion and Education Center project in 2017 and 2018. The capital portion of the project will wind down in 2019. The 2019 budget has been set at $105,000. When fully completed, the pavilion will become a department within the general fund for regular operations. The project has cost more than originally anticipated.
Major upgrades to the building accounted for some of the additional costs. Insulation upgrades, an upgrade in building design, adding translucent paneling, changing the large east door to be 40 feet in width, adding walk-in doors and windows, and adding wainscot to the perimeter were all approved change orders. Total cost is now estimated at $2.7 million.
The county fundraising and grants committee were significant players in the project. To date, they have $203,372 dollars in pledges from individuals and businesses. With another recent gift from the Heginbotham Trust, their total contribution is $175,272. Other grants received include $550,000 from the Colorado Energy Impact Fund, $125,000 from the Daniels Fund, $30,000 from the Boettcher Foundation, $20,000 from the El Pomar Foundation, $7,500 from the Anschutz Family Foundation, $40,000 from the Adolph Coors Foundation and $7,500 from Dupont/Pioneer.
The County Fair Fund has a 2019 budget of $90,100. The county commissioners have contracted with B&B Investments Co. LLC dba PCR Phillips County Raceway (Joe Bellm) to run the races for 2019.
The Fair Board utilizes ticket sales, contributions and the current fund balance to fund the annual county fair event amount. While the County does maintain and improve the facilities at the fairgrounds, those funds are taken out of the General Fund allocation for fairgrounds improvement. The County will again provide $5,000 toward the Haxtun Corn Festival.