Proposed Ray County budget plan allows 3% raises

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Proposed Ray County budget plan allows 3% raises

Fri, 02/14/2020 - 10:35
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RICHMOND – Having “small change” to spend, the Ray County Commission’s proposed budget offers small changes.

A budget highlight involves possible raises for county employees who have gone without one since 2014.

“We gave 3% pay raises across the board to all employees,” Presiding Commissioner Bob King said.

The change would cost $50,000, if approved, he said. The budget plan will not be finalized until after the public comment period ends at 5 p.m. Feb. 14.

“We’ve talked about getting another sheriff’s (SUV), but that’s hasn’t been decided,” King said.

The used SUV from another law enforcement agency would have about 50,000 miles in wear and cost about $25,000, King said.

Computer upgrades are proposed, Commissioner Jerry Bishop said.

“We’re replacing all of our obsolete computers,” he said.

King said some computers still use the Windows 7 platform, but at least Windows 10 is needed to meet operational needs. Bishop said more than 30 computers need upgrades. King said numbers are not set, but the price tag at this time is roughly $31,000.

The public deserves credit for boosting funds for county operations by approving a capital improvements tax, Bishop said.

“That capital improvement tax... God, bless them,” he said.

“It’s simple,” King said. “You can’t do it without money.”

The budget also adds funds for work expected from service agencies, with Ray County sharing half of the $10,000 cost to fund a 4-H Exension youth specialist for Ray and Lafayette counties; $1,500, Childrens Mercy Hospital services; $3,000, USDA soil and water; and $1,200, Ray County Historical Society.

The overall budget plan anticipates a revenue increase of $39,457, just over 1% more than last year. Last year’s budget plan called for spending $3,645,230 vs. this year’s call for $3,729,815.

Last year, the commission spent a bit less than what the commission received.

“We were about $40,000 in the black at year end,” King said.