After the county commission proposed a budget that he says included “draconian cuts,” the Platte County prosecutor presented a possible solution.
Platte County Prosecutor Eric Zahnd addressed the county commission during a budget hearing on Tuesday, asking that they “reject the proposed budget and rescind the half cent sales tax for parks, replacing it with a 1/8 cent sales tax for parks and a quarter cent sales tax for law enforcement.”
In order to deal with tight budget constraints as a result of zero growth in sales tax that is anticipated this year–as well as a $10.7 unfunded mandate for narrowbanding radio communications equipment–the commission proposed significant cuts across the board.
Those cuts included the closing of the Annex Center in Platte Woods, the elimination of a switchboard operator position by converting into an automated system at the courthouse, and changes to the mail delivery system.
In addition, many officeholders would experience cuts based upon the commission’s proposed budget. Positions in the IT department and the human resource department, departments that are controlled by the county commission–will be eliminated.
Jim Plunkett, 2nd district commissioner, began the meeting by speaking to the public. Plunkett says that the two largest expenses on the 2012 budget originate in the sheriff’s office and the prosecutor’s office. Since 2000, the sheriff’s budget over the last several years had had an annual increase of $214,456, said Plunkett. The sheriff’s office budget in 2012 is $7,724,040.
The second largest expense the county provides funding to from the general fund is the prosecutor’s office, said Plunkett. The prosecuting attorney’s budget in 2002 when Eric Zahnd was first elected was $693,000.
“In 2012 the proposed budget is $1,213,000…It is an increase since Zahnd took office of $519,926, which equates to an increase in funding equal to 42.86%. So Platte County has been able to fund Eric’s office an average yearly increase of approximately $52,000 for every single year of Eric’s tenure,” said Plunkett.
The commission’s proposed 2012 budget would cut the prosecuting attorney’s office by $40,000. Plunkett emphasized that some of the officeholders have special funds including the bad check fund that goes to the prosecutor’s office, a ticket fund that goes to the sheriff’s office, a tax maintenance fund that goes to the collector, as well as an assessor’s technology fund that goes to the assessor.
The commission proposed allocating some of these specials funds to the general fund to support the county initiative to comply with the unfunded federal mandate to improve the current radio communications system. Since discussions first ensued, the cost has been reduced from $20 million to $10.7 million, said Kathy Dusenbery, first district commissioner.
“We have moved excess cash funds from the collector’s and assessor’s special fund. The assessor’s office is making a large contribution to the radio fund… The total cash carry over for both of these accounts is $862,216,” said Plunket. “We have $4,151,497 minus the $216,000 set aside in fund 5050. We should all be proud of this.”
Eric Zahnd, who was the first of the officeholders to address the commission, strongly recommended the commission reject the current proposed 2012 budget and criticized the budget for requiring “draconian cuts to the core functions of government while spending millions upon millions on frills such as massive expansions of community centers including water slides and Olympic-sized swimming pools.”
Zahnd advocated that the commission propose to voters to withdraw the half cent sales tax for parks. Instead, replace it with a 1/8 cent sales tax for parks and a ¼ cent sales tax for law enforcement.
“If you do that, you will give everyone who lives, works, and shops in Platte County a well-deserved tax cut. They will pay 1/8 cent less on every purchase they make in Platte County. And you will also realign our budget with the priorities of the people: the core governmental functions of law enforcement over indulgences like walking trails and swimming pools,” said Zahnd.
“It is my understanding that the proposed budget takes funds from the assessor’s fund, the assessor’s technology fund and the collector’s tax maintenance fund, sweeping them into general revenue. By statute, those accounts are controlled by the assessor and the collector, who are independently-elected officials. I also understand the proposed budget diverts a portion of the parks tax to pay for law enforcement radios.
“I strongly question whether it is legal to use funds from the dedicated parks tax to purchase law enforcement radios. More importantly, I strongly believe the proposed budget’s attempt to unilaterally sweep the funds controlled by the assessor and the collector is an illegal act that exceeds the commission’s authority,” added Zahnd.
David Christian, assessor, explained to the commission how the proposed 2012 budget will negatively effect the assessor’s office, as well as claimed that the transfer of funds from the assessor’s fund and the assessor’s technology fund to the general fund is illegal. The commission proposed taking a sum of $500,000 from those separate and distinct funds.
“The monies is these funds are required by law to be used to assess the real estate and personal property in the county and to maintain fair and equalized valuations…the law does not permit diversion of those funds for another purpose,” said Christian.
Christian explained he anticipates using those funds to cover legal expenses when tax payers contest their assessments, as well as cover the potential increase in the cost of computer services.
Additionally, Christian, who shares an office with the collector in the Annex Center in Platte Woods, vehemently the commission’s plan to close the Annex Center.
“Eighty percent of taxpayers live closer to the Annex than they do to our office here in Platte City,” said Christian.
The commissioners acknowledged closing the Annex Center was a difficult decision and one they did not take lightly. “It is far more efficient to pay on-line, said Brown. “We need to look for ways to be more efficient.” The commission cited that the Annex Center is a security and safety problem where embezzlement has occurred.
As far as the $500,000 the commission proposes to transfer to the general fund, Plunkett said, that would leave a remaining $364,000 in the fund—enough to cover any contingency in the years ahead.
“What we are really talking about here is managing taxpayers money,” said Jason Brown, presiding commissioner. “It does not belong to anyone of us that reside in this brick building. It is other people’s money–other people defined as taxpayers. Is it possible that anybody in Jefferson City is wrong?” asked Brown.
Sheila Palmer, Platte County collector, told county commissioners the $300,000 they propose to withdraw from the tax maintenance fund is supposed to be used to supplement the collector’s office. Not doing so could jeopardize the services the collector provides to the public. Palmer planned on using a portion of this fund for software since the current contract will soon expire.
“I urge you to reconsider your proposed budget before the final approval,” said Palmer. “I cannot transfer moneys from the tax maintenance fund as proposed in the county budget, if such a transfer would be a violation of equable law.” Palmer reminded commissioners that she has ready offered transferring $59,882 from the tax maintenance fund to the general fund.
In addition, the commission proposed slashing the sheriff’s office budget by $511,000 less than what the auditor recommended. “That is well over a half a million dollar cut to the sheriff’s department budget from what we need,” said Sheriff Richard Anderson.
Anderson said if the commission refrains from re-evaluating the proposed budget then it will directly result in the sheriff’s office having fewer deputies, higher employee turnover, less experienced deputies, as well as a less reliable force. “[T]he priorities established by this budget are not in the best interests of the people of Platte County and are not what the people have clearly said they want.”
The sheriff cited two different surveys where the citizens of Platte County indicated that their top priorities for Platte County services included public safety and emergency preparedness.
Since 2006, forty-four employees of the sheriff’s department have left for economic reasons. That is a loss of 236 years of experience, said Anderson.
Anderson said he supports Zahnd’s suggestion to rescind the half cent sales tax for parks and replacing it with a 1/8 cent sales tax for parks and a ¼ cent sales tax for law enforcement.
During the public hearing, Terry Edwards, public administrator, said the commission’s proposed budget will cut $20,000 out of the client services budget, which will directly reduce productivity “for the actual duties I am statutorily required to do for persons required to have a guardian and or conservator.”
Gloria Boyer, recorder of deeds, addressed the commission stating that the budget in her office will be cut by $20,000.
Boyer also talked about how the county commission’s budget cuts would in her opinion reduce services to Platte County citizens. She mentioned the cuts eliminating the position of the county’s telephone switchboard operator, Ella Jean.
“Perhaps this automated (phone) system could have been discussed with officeholders and department heads to see how each would be affected. A slower implementation might have resulted in a better prepared staff and smother transition, as well as for taxpayers and resulted in a more professional end to a dedicated county employee service career,” said Boyer.
Boyer turned the floor over to Bonnie Brown, Platte County treasure. Brown said, although her office will not experience a reduction in its budget this year, it will be impacted by the loss of the switchboard operator, as well as how the mail is now processed.
“Both of the changes involve staff reduction and in my opinion a decline in the services that we provide the citizens of Platte County. Without adequate staffing in any office we are cheating the public of the service they deserve and should expect. This commission in my opinion has shown a severe lack of compassion in how to handle employee changes being made, said Brown.
Joan Harms, county clerk, furthered the discussion on the proposed budget cuts. Harms said she would be forced to reduce a full-time employee to part-time status given the proposed $14,000 cut to her budget. “Can we continue to give quality service to Platte County citizens? Will the county be able to continue to find good applicants for county jobs if this reputation exists?” asked Harms.
Dusenbery said the $10.7 million to fund the Federal Communication Commission’s mandate is what pushed the commission to “do what we had to do.”
Following the officeholders’ passionate plea to table the passing of the proposed 2012 budget until “alternative solutions” could be considered, the commission unanimously voted to table the issue until additional meetings occur.
Tuesday afternoon, the commissioners announced they invited each officeholder to participate in a renewed budget discussion with the county commissioners on Thursday, Jan. 5. Dana Babcock, director of administration, said the commission has blocked out the entire day to engage in budget discussions with officeholders.
Missouri law requires the county commission to approve the budget by Jan. 10, said Kevin Robinson, Platte County auditor. The public must be notified 24 business hours prior to the public hearing.
“I do think we need to re-evaluate the budget,” said Dusenbery after the hearing.
experience cuts based upon the commission’s proposed budget. Positions in the IT department and the human resource department, departments that are controlled by the county commission–will be eliminated.
Jim Plunkett, 2nd district commissioner, began the meeting by speaking to the public. Plunkett says that the two largest expenses on the 2012 budget originate in the sheriff’s office and the prosecutor’s office. Since 2000, the sheriff’s budget over the last several years had had an annual increase of $214,456, said Plunkett. The sheriff’s office budget in 2012 is $7,724,040.
The second largest expense the county provides funding to from the general fund is the prosecutor’s office, said Plunkett. The prosecuting attorney’s budget in 2002 when Eric Zahnd was first elected was $693,000.
“In 2012 the proposed budget is $1,213,000…It is an increase since Zahnd took office of $519,926, which equates to an increase in funding equal to 42.86%. So Platte County has been able to fund Eric’s office an average yearly increase of approximately $52,000 for every single year of Eric’s tenure,” said Plunkett.
The commission’s proposed 2012 budget would cut the prosecuting attorney’s office by $40,000. Plunkett emphasized that some of the officeholders have special funds including the bad check fund that goes to the prosecutor’s office, a ticket fund that goes to the sheriff’s office, a tax maintenance fund that goes to the collector, as well as an assessor’s technology fund that goes to the assessor.
The commission proposed allocating some of these specials funds to the general fund to support the county initiative to comply with the unfunded federal mandate to improve the current radio communications system. Since discussions first ensued, the cost has been reduced from $20 million to $10.7 million, said Kathy Dusenbery, first district commissioner.
“We have moved excess cash funds from the collector’s and assessor’s special fund. The assessor’s office is making a large contribution to the radio fund… The total cash carry over for both of these accounts is $862,216,” said Plunket. “We have $4,151,497 minus the $216,000 set aside in fund 5050. We should all be proud of this.”
Eric Zahnd, who was the first of the officeholders to address the commission, strongly recommended the commission reject the current proposed 2012 budget and criticized the budget for requiring “draconian cuts to the core functions of government while spending millions upon millions on frills such as massive expansions of community centers including water slides and Olympic-sized swimming pools.”
Zahnd advocated that the commission propose to voters to withdraw the half cent sales tax for parks. Instead, replace it with a 1/8 cent sales tax for parks and a ¼ cent sales tax for law enforcement.
“If you do that, you will give everyone who lives, works, and shops in Platte County a well-deserved tax cut. They will pay 1/8 cent less on every purchase they make in Platte County. And you will also realign our budget with the priorities of the people: the core governmental functions of law enforcement over indulgences like walking trails and swimming pools,” said Zahnd.
“It is my understanding that the proposed budget takes funds from the assessor’s fund, the assessor’s technology fund and the collector’s tax maintenance fund, sweeping them into general revenue. By statute, those accounts are controlled by the assessor and the collector, who are independently-elected officials. I also understand the proposed budget diverts a portion of the parks tax to pay for law enforcement radios.
“I strongly question whether it is legal to use funds from the dedicated parks tax to purchase law enforcement radios. More importantly, I strongly believe the proposed budget’s attempt to unilaterally sweep the funds controlled by the assessor and the collector is an illegal act that exceeds the commission’s authority,” added Zahnd.
David Christian, assessor, explained to the commission how the proposed 2012 budget will negatively effect the assessor’s office, as well as claimed that the transfer of funds from the assessor’s fund and the assessor’s technology fund to the general fund is illegal. The commission proposed taking a sum of $500,000 from those separate and distinct funds.
“The monies is these funds are required by law to be used to assess the real estate and personal property in the county and to maintain fair and equalized valuations…the law does not permit diversion of those funds for another purpose,” said Christian.
Christian explained he anticipates using those funds to cover legal expenses when tax payers contest their assessments, as well as cover the potential increase in the cost of computer services.
Additionally, Christian, who shares an office with the collector in the Annex Center in Platte Woods, vehemently the commission’s plan to close the Annex Center.
“Eighty percent of taxpayers live closer to the Annex than they do to our office here in Platte City,” said Christian.
The commissioners acknowledged closing the Annex Center was a difficult decision and one they did not take lightly. “It is far more efficient to pay on-line, said Brown. “We need to look for ways to be more efficient.” The commission cited that the Annex Center is a security and safety problem where embezzlement has occurred.
As far as the $500,000 the commission proposes to transfer to the general fund, Plunkett said, that would leave a remaining $364,000 in the fund—enough to cover any contingency in the years ahead.
“What we are really talking about here is managing taxpayers money,” said Jason Brown, presiding commissioner. “It does not belong to anyone of us that reside in this brick building. It is other people’s money–other people defined as taxpayers. Is it possible that anybody in Jefferson City is wrong?” asked Brown.
Sheila Palmer, Platte County collector, told county commissioners the $300,000 they propose to withdraw from the tax maintenance fund is supposed to be used to supplement the collector’s office. Not doing so could jeopardize the services the collector provides to the public. Palmer planned on using a portion of this fund for software since the current contract will soon expire.
“I urge you to reconsider your proposed budget before the final approval,” said Palmer. “I cannot transfer moneys from the tax maintenance fund as proposed in the county budget, if such a transfer would be a violation of equable law.”
Palmer reminded commissioners that she has ready offered transferring $59,882 from the tax maintenance fund to the general fund.
In addition, the commission proposed slashing the sheriff’s office budget by $511,000 less than what the auditor recommended. “That is well over a half a million dollar cut to the sheriff’s department budget from what we need,” said Sheriff Richard Anderson.
Anderson said if the commission refrains from re-evaluating the proposed budget then it will directly result in the sheriff’s office having fewer deputies, higher employee turnover, less experienced deputies, as well as a less reliable force. “[T]he priorities established by this budget are not in the best interests of the people of Platte County and are not what the people have clearly said they want.”
The sheriff cited two different surveys where the citizens of Platte County indicated that their top priorities for Platte County services included public safety and emergency preparedness.
Since 2006, forty-four employees of the sheriff’s department have left for economic reasons. That is a loss of 236 years of experience, said Anderson.
Anderson said he supports Zahnd’s suggestion to rescind the half cent sales tax for parks and replacing it with a 1/8 cent sales tax for parks and a ¼ cent sales tax for law enforcement.
During the public hearing, Terry Edwards, public administrator, said the commission’s proposed budget will cut $20,000 out of the client services budget, which will directly reduce productivity “for the actual duties I am statutorily required to do for persons required to have a guardian and or conservator.”
Gloria Boyer, recorder of deeds, addressed the commission stating that the budget in her office will be cut by $20,000.
Boyer also talked about how the county commission’s budget cuts would in her opinion reduce services to Platte County citizens. She mentioned the cuts eliminating the position of the county’s telephone switchboard operator, Ella Jean.
“Perhaps this automated (phone) system could have been discussed with officeholders and department heads to see how each would be affected. A slower implementation might have resulted in a better prepared staff and smother transition, as well as for taxpayers and resulted in a more professional end to a dedicated county employee service career,” said Boyer.
Boyer turned the floor over to Bonnie Brown, Platte County treasure. Brown said, although her office will not experience a reduction in its budget this year, it will be impacted by the loss of the switchboard operator, as well as how the mail is now processed.
“Both of the changes involve staff reduction and in my opinion a decline in the services that we provide the citizens of Platte County. Without adequate staffing in any office we are cheating the public of the service they deserve and should expect. This commission in my opinion has shown a severe lack of compassion in how to handle employee changes being made, said Brown.
Joan Harms, county clerk, furthered the discussion on the proposed budget cuts. Harms said she would be forced to reduce a full-time employee to part-time status given the proposed $14,000 cut to her budget. “Can we continue to give quality service to Platte County citizens? Will the county be able to continue to find good applicants for county jobs if this reputation exists?” asked Harms.
Dusenbery said the $10.7 million to fund the Federal Communication Commission’s mandate is what pushed the commission to “do what we had to do.”
Following the officeholders’ passionate plea to table the passing of the proposed 2012 budget until “alternative solutions” could be considered, the commission unanimously voted to table the issue until additional meetings occur.
Tuesday afternoon, the commissioners announced they invited each officeholder to participate in a renewed budget discussion with the county commissioners on Thursday, Jan. 5. Dana Babcock, director of administration, said the commission has blocked out the entire day to engage in budget discussions with officeholders.
Missouri law requires the county commission to approve the budget by Jan. 10, said Kevin Robinson, Platte County auditor. The public must be notified 24 business hours prior to the public hearing.
“I do think we need to re-evaluate the budget,” said Dusenbery after the hearing.