Tax levies in Oktibbeha County will increase 7.11 mills, from last year’s 111.88 mills to 118.99, because of a school tax equalization measure previously approved by state lawmakers.
County supervisors are expected to approve their Fiscal Year 2015-2016 budget and institute a 3 percent cost-of-living raise for all fulltime county employees Monday, documents show. The county government operating levy — 52.96 mills — remains the same as the current rate.
Approximately 28.65 mills of the proposed tax rate will be levied for general county operations, while 12.38 mills will fund countywide road and bridge projects. Other line items — including OCH Regional Medical Center pledges (4.22 mills) and bond payments (1.29 mills), East Mississippi Community College support (2 mills) and a 2.42 mill levy for volunteer fire services — drive up the combined, non-school levies.
Starkville-Oktibbeha County Consolidated School District’s combined 66.03 mill levy is derived from operations (55 mills), combined notes and bonds (10.03) and a 1 mill Millsaps Career and Technology Center pledge.
Supervisors have provided a 3 percent raise for fulltime employees in each year of their current term. The pending raise is again expected to be a formality at the board table Monday, and County Administrator Emily Garrard confirmed the increases are already included in the prepared budget.
“I’m just one supervisor, but I’m for it. I think our employees are worth every bit of that, and it shows them some appreciation. I wish we could do more than that, but 3 percent is what we can do,” said District 1 Supervisor John Montgomery. “(COLA raises) are important to them, so it’s important to me.”
Oktibbeha County’s proposed budget is expected to be balanced with $31 million in expected revenues and expenses.
Its general fund is expected expend $12.44 million, while the county is projected to service $1.8 million in debt next fiscal year.
Four of the 43 line items funded by the county’s general fund will operate with budgets above $1 million: the board of supervisors; building and grounds; Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Department; and Oktibbeha County Jail.
Many of those same general fund streams have pending funding increases. Streams with increases of more than $10,000 compared to the current fiscal year include those to the board of supervisors ($32,400 in additional revenues), tax collector’s office ($11,429), justice court ($24,310), sheriff’s office ($45,630), jail ($49,430) and the Golden Triangle Development LINK ($25,000).
Only three areas of the general fund will receive less money in the upcoming fiscal year: veterans administration ($3,670), ambulance service ($600), sanitation and solid waste ($10,000) and Service Zone/TVA ($37,070).
The county’s special revenue and agency fund — also known as other funds — is set to expend $18.56 million on a variety of services, including fire and 911 services; road maintenance efforts; and election assistance.
Residents who live within Starkville, Maben and Sturgis are exempt from the county’s 2.42 mill levy for volunteer fire services. Their county rate — the combined governmental and school levy — is 116.57, which does not include separate city levies.
Growth helped increase the amount of money a single tax mill brings to the coffers. For the upcoming fiscal year, Garrard said she prepared the budget figuring 1 mill would return $327,000, up $8,000 from the current budget’s formula.
One mill is equal to one-one thousandth of a dollar. Property taxes are calculated by multiplying a property’s true value by its assessment ratio and the millage rate. Assessment ratios are set by the Mississippi Constitution and include five classes. A single-family, owner-occupied residential property’s ratio is assessed at 10 percent of the true value.
Supervisors will only hold one public hearing, set for 9 a.m. Monday at the county courthouse, on the budget and are expected to approve the document at its conclusion.
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
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