County seeks tax increase after long budget battle

Whitman County commissioners decided to ask voters to raise property taxes beginning in 2015 to ease budget woes.

After a long discussion Monday morning during a workshop, commissioners met again Monday afternoon and voted unanimously to ask voters to hike property taxes from $1.38 to $1.60 per $1,000 of assessed value starting in 2015. Voters will cast their decisions in February. The state limit from the county general fund levy is $1.80.

The added tax would raise more than $750,000 in 2015.

Under the state’s one percent annual limit on revenue increases the county’s actual levy has dropped to $1.38 per $1,000 as a result of higher property tax valuations.

In the meantime, commissioners also decided to take $17,300 in operating cash to balance the 2014 budget, according to county administrator Gary Petrovich. The budget still will take some hits and may mean employee cuts and reduced services next year.

Commissioners conducted a second budget hearing Monday morning, but no one from the public commented. Commissioners intend to officially adopt the budget next Monday, Dec. 30.

After commission chair Michael Largent called for a motion on the tax proposal, Commissioners Art Swannack and Dean Kinzer, who are both completing their first year on the commission, remained silent.

Largent then made the motion.

“I will make a motion to put this proposition at $1.60 on the February ballot,” Largent said.

He was seconded by Kinzer.

“Regardless of the outcome, there’ll be some unhappy people,” Largent said before the vote. “This is a difficult decision. I know I can trust the voters of this county. This will be a clear-cut reliable poll. They will either confirm with cuts in service or provide some revenue. I’m confident that voters will advise us how to proceed, how to conduct county government.”

A group of elected officials and department heads brought the proposition to the board.

“This is only a partial solution,” said Sheriff Brett Myers Monday morning. “We have not asked our voters for much.”

Myers was among a group of officials who were present at the afternoon session.

“February is the most opportune time,” said Tim Myers, director of Whitman County Parks Department.

“Is there ever a good time?” asked county Coroner Peter Martin. “No matter what you decide, there’s no guarantee it’ll pass.”

County Auditor Eunice Coker questioned the February election.

“I don’t think there’s enough time to get the word out, to talk to local chambers,” she said. “I don’t know how we’d get the word out.”

“Given the impact of the current budget and making adjustments in our departments, it’s time to pursue it immediately,” said County Assessor Joe Reynolds.

Coker also questioned commissioners about the cost of an election. She said there are six items on the February ballot already.

“With the clear understanding that I’m pulling numbers out of the air, it could cost anywhere from $10,000 to $40,000 and it could be more than that,” she said.

Reynolds also said that if the county waited until the November election and the proposition didn’t pass, the proposition could go into 2015.

“We understand we continue to have a responsibility. This will not make it go away. Whatever voters instruct us to do, we’ll do it,” Largent vowed.

“Denying the opportunity for citizens to speak on this issue would be irresponsible on my part,” Kinzer said. “Our legislators have commented. They want to see an initiative on our part.”

Before the commissioners voted, Swannack also commented on the issue.

“I believe the citizens of this county are wise and they’ll make wise choices,” Swannack said.

However, Reynolds clarified where the money will go.

“You can’t restrict levy money,” he said. “By law, the money has to go to the general fund.”