HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Reno County Commissioners got an update on the 2023 budget during their Tuesday agenda session.
The county will see a total valuation of $675.7 million in 2023, an increase of 5.3%. With that, the county’s revenue neutral rate will drop the mill levy by 2 mills to 37.4. Commissioners are still wrestling with what to do with a budget that will be plagued by high prices for fuel and asphalt.
Commissioner Daniel Friesen asked if it were possible to cut some of the road maintenance for the year. County Administrator Randy Partington noted that deferring maintenance causes the county to fall behind in such matters, making it hard to catch up. Commissioner Ron Hirst said that doing 30 miles of county blacktop road per year takes 20 years to cover all of the county. Commissioner Ron Sellers said that he would take Friesen's request into consideration if the county were to make up the shortfall the next budget year.
Friesen was steadfast on a revenue neutral budget. He believes it forces the county to be more efficient. Partington said that he will put a budget together that will represent the county’s current needs and then have a list of potential cuts that could be made to get to a revenue neutral rate.
Partington also said that such cuts could include capital items, personnel and services. No specific numbers were discussed during Tuesday's meeting.
The county must have its revenue neutral budget intentions provided to the county clerk's office by July 20.