Essential services and permitted growth conflict as Scotts Bluff County commissioners mull budget (copy)

The presumed goal at the start of the meeting was to reduce spending enough to avoid attending the joint public hearing – commonly referred to by commissioners as the “Pink Postcard Meeting” in reference to the pink postcards sent to voters. The meeting is required by law for taxing entities whose tax demands exceed their allowable growth, also required by law.

As of Wednesday, the feasibility of that goal was in question, as the county’s tax demand was about $2.6 million more than the amount needed. Nearly two hours into the workshop – and with only $14,000 saved – the board took time to look at the bigger picture.

Mark Harris, newly appointed as chairman, and Commissioner Charlie Knapper were adamant in their desire to stay within the allowable growth percentage. Both stated that the joint public hearing itself was not their deciding factor, but that they felt a line had to be drawn somewhere. For them, the 2.29% allowable growth represented a solid target, and in their opinion, that was what the board needed.

Commissioner Russ Reisig argued that the legally allowed growth in the county’s tax demand may no longer be a realistic goal. Reisig argued that the growth rate is so far behind inflation that trying to follow it would be like using 2020 dollars to balance a budget in 2024.

“We haven’t even come close to keeping up with inflation,” Reisig said. “I don’t know how we can continue with 2020 dollars… We can’t stay on that course.”

Commissioner Mike Blue agreed with Reisig, saying the county’s responsibility to provide certain services should not be compromised.

“I respect what Charlie and Mark are saying, and I would certainly like that to be a goal, but like Russ, I don’t think that’s possible,” Blue said. “We need to provide certain basic services to the county, and that’s what we need to do.”

Harris stressed several times during the meeting that some of the services offered by the county may not be essential and suggested thinking about “a minimum acceptable level of services.” However, he never explained which services he thought should be restricted.

Some district officials and employees also participated in the budget discussion. Both Tax Assessor Robert Simpson and Public Transportation Director Curt Richter urged caution with budget cuts, as the district needs sufficient money to operate.

Finally, Knapper offered a compromise and stated that he would agree to exceed the permitted growth percentage and participate in the joint public hearing if the board could still reduce the tax rate requested for the last fiscal year.

By 5 p.m., that new goal appeared to have been met, with money being moved from the Capital Improvement Fund to offset rising costs in the highway department’s budget. Auditor Lisa Rein warned the board that such use of the Capital Improvement Funds was not sustainable, as the fund had become quite weak from the transfer and it would take years to recoup the money.

Sheriff Mark Overman also made significant changes to his budget, foregoing replacing several vehicles, eliminating a part-time position and reducing his overtime pay. Overall, Overman said he has saved about $243,000 since his original budget proposal by being a team player, but such cuts also come with financial risks.

“As far as overtime goes, I don’t know what that will be like. Some of our overtime is not controlled by us, but by what’s happening in the community,” Overman said. “We’re kind of rolling the dice here.”

The county’s budget has not yet been finalized and will remain a topic of discussion until it is finally approved. No date for a budget hearing has been announced yet.