Emergency session called for proposed tax rate

An emergency session of the Cass County Commissioners’ Court was called last Tuesday afternoon regarding the proposed tax rate which was approved early Tuesday morning during its regular session.

Due to errors in tax rate information, the Court voted Tuesday morning to approve a proposed tax rate of .53000. County Auditor Jim Loomis told the Court that the rate would net an additional $510,000 in revenue to correct for a budget deficit.

After the Court rescinded its approval of the erroneous rate, the voter approved tax rate of .506873 was approved unanimously.

The voter approved tax rate, the amount which, if exceeded, the county must automatically hold an election for voters to approve the increase, is approximately five cents lower than the 2020 rate.

“With that $69,000 in additional revenue, we will be able to put that aside to help pay for some of the expenditures but nothing like we were discussing this morning”, Loomis said, “That would have to be addressed next year with next year’s budget with revenue, tax increases.”

The county has struggled to assemble a balanced budget for the upcoming fiscal year, having convened twice last week where commissioners rejected a proposed 3% cost of living adjustment to correct for a $250,000 revenue shortfall.

Concerns were expressed during the Aug. 18 public forum and by commissioners about the proposed budget, and on Aug. 20, Loomis presented the Court with an adjusted budget which omitted the 3% cost of living adjustment and other expenses.

“We would have to borrow from the forestry funds, funds to help departments meet the budget. And their budgets are streamlined, straight, not excessive, but they are still within the same expense lines. Expenses have gone up. Materials have gone up. To be able to fund different departments we have to borrow”, Loomis said.

“Each year we’re trying to do more if not the same for the county with less money”, Loomis said.

The budget and tax rate for 2021 will be up for final approval Sept. 8 during which time, the public can address the Court.

The Journal-Sun will be recording the Commissioners’ Court and posting the videos to www.casscountynow.com.