The millage rate set by the Clay County Board of County Commissioners remains unchanged, but residents in unincorporated areas will pay more.
The commissioners voted on a maximum millage rate for fiscal year 2022-2023. The overall millage rate did not increase from the current rate, 8.601. However, the rate for two taxing units has changed. The rate for county services has decreased by 0.0122, but the rate for the unincorporated services (Municipal Service Taxing Units) has increased by the same amount to 0.1343.
Unincorporated services include code enforcement, engineering, and planning and zoning.
The county manager presented commissioners with three options during Tuesday night’s meeting.
Either they go with the maximum rate allowed 10.4462; keep the same overall millage rate (8.601) while asking for more from residents in unincorporated areas of the county; or keep the same overall rate and appropriations as outlined for the current fiscal year.
Commissioners ultimately went with the second option in a 4-1 vote. While reappropriating just over $161,000 to unincorporated services, the change will save more than $17,000 for the residents who live in municipalities.
The lone dissenting vote was from Chairman Wayne Bolla. “For 17 thousand bucks, is it worth the squeeze with the public to try to explain this every time somebody brings it up?”
“You’re doing more projects in engineering. So, you’ve got more staff that you’ve hired on over the years. You’re doing work in engineering. You’re doing more road resurfacing and things like that. As your costs increase, to keep up with those cost increases, the only way to balance it out is to increase your millage rate in that area,” said Troy Nagle, assistant county manager.
There will be two budget public hearings. The hearings are set for Sept. 13 and Sept. 27 during the regular BCC meeting.
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