Discussion about raising the millage tax in Mississippi County was at the forefront Monday, as the Quorum Court's Finance Committee met again, as part of an ongoing attempt to create a budget for 2012 with struggling county finances.
The millage tax, which affects land and personal property, is currently set at 2 mills. It is legal, however, for a quorum court to raise the tax up to 5 mills without bringing the issue to the people for a vote, and this is the matter that the Finance Committee hopes to bring to the full Court at its October meeting.
Justice Michael White told the committee that this would be a serious vote, and all involved, especially the public, needed to understand that the taxes are not being raised just because the Quorum Court can do it, but the millage increase is needed to help the county simply maintain its budget. The possibility of bringing this issue to the full Court in October is being investigated; if not, the issue will be placed on the agenda for November.
The millage increase, if passed, may help alleviate some of the possible budget struggles the county is facing for next year. If no major changes are made, county departments and elected officials were going to be asked to possibly cut their budgets by up to 45 percent, if they did not wish to lay off employees or cut hours or benefits.
Justice Bill Nelson presented to the committee the proposed budget for the economic development fund and reported that no changes are being made to it currently.
At the Sheriff's Department, reviews of the budget for the department and the county jail have been ongoing, and Sheriff Dale Cook told the committee that he has tried to cut as many line items as possible by 45 percent, without cutting personnel or benefits -- but that some line items could not shrink any more than they already have. Cook said food and fuel prices continue to rise, and that some areas could not sustain a 45 percent cut and still keep up services.
Patricia Caldwell, county collecter, told the committee that she has adjusted the automation account a little for the coming year, which would give her funds to help with expenses and also help alleviate some of the load from the county general fund.
At the next Finance Committee meeting, which will take place at 1:30 p.m. Monday in the county judge's office, budgets will be presented by Assessor Harley Bradley, County Treasurer Peggy Meatte and Circuit Clerk Donna Bray.
Issues that the committee hopes to bring before the full Quorum Court at its next meeting include Act 1188, a move which would raise a fee attached to county issued fines from $5 to $20, a possible increase of landfill fees, and the possible millage tax hike.
Raising the millage tax from 2 to 5 mills would generate an additional $2,397, 411.01 for the county. It has been estimated that this increase would cause a raise of $3 for every thousand dollars in the value of a vehicle or property. For example, a home valued at $70,000 is currently paying $340.35 in taxes at 2 mills. At 5 mills, the taxes on that same property would be $378.36.
Raising landfill tipping fees would generate an additional $920,682.60, according to projections in the county's 2012 anticipated revenues.
sharris@blythevillecourier.com