Earlier than is the norm by about a month, the Platte County Auditor Siobhann Williams released the 2009 recommended budget for the county this week.
The budget has an overall decrease of $5.7 million from the 2008 budget.
Siobhann Williams, Platte County auditor, said the budget is reducing from $58.1 million in 2008 to $52.4 million in 2009. The budget also has a decrease in the amount of expected revenue from sales taxes.
Williams said the reduction is largely due to some one time expenses in 2008 of around $4 million on a project along 45 Highway near Parkville.
The county’s excess revenue carryover is expected to drop from around $2 million to $1 million from 2008 to 2009.
According to Williams, the actual budgets of county departments will not decrease that much.
“The sheriff may see a little, but for the most part they will not see a cut,” Williams told The Landmark this week.
“These excess funds will be needed to fund the county’s operations in 2009,” Williams wrote in a press release.
“Like other local governments, Platte County is expected to experience revenue declines in the coming budget year. I am pleased to report that the county is on strong financial standing and should weather this economic downturn without dramatic cuts in services or staff.”
Williams is also budgeting a two percent increase in the salaries of county employees.
The budget recommended by the auditor will receive feedback from department heads and will eventually be approved by the county commission near the beginning of the year.
For more information on the budget or to download a copy of the auditor recommended budget go to the county’s website at www.co.platte.mo.us