I am planning to propose 2 budget amendments to the 2024 Marathon County Budget to reduce the proposed tax increase by $1,665,000 with no expected impact on services provided or budgeted expenditures. These 2 amendments would cut the 2024 total levy increase from an approximate 5.7% increase to an approximate 2.7% increase.
The proposed amendments relate to the Social Service Department and the Marathon County Public Library. The situation leading to the proposed amendments are similar for both organizations.
- The budgeted revenue (including tax levy) for each organization has exceeded its actual expenditures for each of the last several years.
- Actual expenditures (spending) have been substantially lower than budgeted expenditures for each organization for each of the last several years.
- This has led to a substantial increase in fund balance for each organization.
- The government’s response to COVID has been reported to have impacted each organization’s revenues and expenditures.
- Each organization has statutory restrictions on budget funds. These restrictions place complete or partial limitations on the subsequent use of budgeted funds.
The proposed budget amendment resolutions also are similar in both cases.
- The proposed tax levy is set at a level sufficient to fund historical actual expenditures plus a small increase for 2024.
- The proposed budget expenditure levels are not reduced from the request of each organization, thus enabling the organization to provide the budgeted and requested level of services.
- Funds from each organization’s respective Fund Balance (savings account) is added into the organization’s budgeted revenue.
- If the 2024 expenditures increase beyond projected spending (based on historical spending plus a small 2024 increase) for any unforeseen reason, the use of fund balance to cover the unanticipated expenditures is already built into the budget and requires no further action by the County Board or Library Board.
I chose not to proceed with the motion to delay funding for the Library HVAC system, which was intended to provide the County Board with additional time to make an informed decision. The decision not to proceed with requesting a delay was primarily based on information provided by Facilities and Capital Management Interim Director Chris Holman, but I also considered feedback from one of my constituents in my decision.
Get Involved
Concerned Residents can attend the County’s Public Hearing on the Budget on November 2 and make public comment. You must inform the County Clerk at least 5 minutes in advance of the meeting.
County Residents can also contact their County Supervisor by phone or email to express their opinion. Personally, I give the most weight to individual emails from my constituents and always try to provide a thoughtful response, but I also read all emails sent to me individually from County residents. I give less weight and consideration to emails that are mass sent to all County Supervisors.
Please note that all emails sent to a County Supervisor become public record and are required to be disclosed if they are related to a Public Records Request. I post emails from constituents and residents on this blog if I think the questions and answers would be of general interest and would be helpful to my constituents.