County's
budget totals $24.9 million
by Kim
Fickett
Landmark reporter
Platte County Auditor Sandra Thomas says that a $24.9
million budget has been set for all county funds, up from
the 2001 budget of $22.3 million.
Thomas presented the proposed budget to county commissioners
at last week's meeting, noting some of the key areas that
saw increases in revenue, expenditures and general fund
projections.
A 10.52 percent increase in revenue for all funds was
noted by Thomas at the meeting. The BRO Project, also
known as the Sharp Station Bridge project, will see an
increase of 19.6 percent, with sales/property and other
taxes up 7.7 percent and a notable increase of 6.44 percent
or approximately $3,000 for special assessments towards
the NID project.
"The increases we've projected in the revenue fund
aren't quite as optimistic as last year's budget due to
the economy," stated Thomas.
The budget for the expenditure fund also represented
an overall increase of 11.34 percent.
"One of the explanations for the increase is that
some funds have carry over, such as the parks department,"
explained Thomas. "Close to $2 million in expenditures
of their $4.5 million budget is due to money being left
over from the 2001 budget.
"In 2002, the parks department will see more purchasing
of land and improvements on that land like community centers
and trail projects, where as in 2001 there was more planning."
The general county administration fund also marked the
budget with an increase of 34 percent or approximately
$1.3 million. The BRO project, which will also be visible
in the expenditures fund, makes up about half of the estimated
34 percent increase.
Thomas stated that the BRO project was moved out of the
public works road and bridge fund due to a cash flow issue.
"The public works budget couldn't await reimbursement
for the project like the general administration fund can,"
said Thomas.
Thomas continued: "Platte County will have to expend
for improvements to the bridge and then be reimbursed
by the State of Missouri. We're anticipating an expenditure
of $700,000."
Another fairly significant increase that was apparent
in the expenditure fund was law enforcement with 14.33
percent. The department's increase is due to numerous
grants the department has applied for, as well as a three
percent increase in wages to cover a fully-staffed department.
According to Thomas, the more grants the department receives,
the county must estimate funds the county has to contribute
as a part of the grant requirements. Some of the project
grants Thomas referred to include the NCAP program (Narcotics
Control Assistant Program), the SRO officer, the HIDTA
program (High Intensity Drug Trafficing Assistance), and
the Cops Program.
Thomas also explained in a presentation to the commissioners
that the proposed 2002 general fund budget would note
a 5.7 percent increase, approximately $900,000 over 2001.
Revenue in the general fund was seen by an overwhelming
66 percent from property, sales, and other taxes. Thomas
explained that the 10.17 percent increase in the revenue
is due to growth, with the main portion gained by the
addition of the Wal-Mart and Lowe's stores off Barry Road.
According to Thomas in 2000-2001, 10.7 percent was from
just sales tax. Once separated, the sales tax represented
only a two percent increase without Wal-Mart and Lowe's.
"Wal-Mart and Lowe's have contributed significantly.
It allows the county to provide a higher level of services
in the areas of law enforcement and planning and zoning
due to the sales tax revenue increase we've shown in the
overall revenue and general fund," said Thomas.
In the projected 2002 general fund expenditures budget,
law enforcement will take 40 percent of the budget to
cover their needed expenses such as new vehicles, salaries
and investigative costs. That budgeted expense is an increase
of nine percent over the actual budget for 2001. General
county administration will also be a large expense, with
the BRO project falling in the category. Roughly 34 percent
of the expenses will be comprised of general county administration
expenses, with the BRO project being one of the main reasons.
Thomas stated that she feels there are two significant
portions to the budget. The $4.5 million budget of the
parks and recreation department.
"There will probably be an amendment to their budget
later in the year due to the issuing of more debt for
parks capital improvement projects," stated Thomas.
"I could see them forming a bond issue."
The second is the significant expenditure of the stormwater
issue for the capital improvement project. Last year $1
million was budgeted and about half was used, this year
there will be $1.5 million budgeted which will enable
them to complete more projects. The money received is
due to the half cent sales tax for the parks department
and stormwater projects.
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