WOODBURY COUNTY MAY HAVE TAX INCREASE DUE TO STATE FUNDING CUTS

 WOODBURY COUNTY CONTINUES TO WRANGLE WITH ITS BUDGET FOR THE COMING FISCAL YEAR.

BUDGET DIRECTOR DENNIS BUTLER PRESENTED COUNTY SUPERVISORS SOME OPTIONS WITH AND WITHOUT THE USE OF LOCAL OPTION SALES TAXES TO REDUCE THE TAX IMPACT ON AGRICULTURAL LAND.

BUTLER SAYS THE COUNTY IS BEING FORCED TO INCREASE TAX ASKINGS OF OVER 225-THOUSAND DOLLARS BECAUSE OF THE STATE PASSING MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT COSTS OFF ON COUNTIES:

UNDER THAT SCENARIO, THE CITY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY TAXES IMPOSED BY THE COUNTY WOULD INCREASE BY $5.80 PER $100,000 VALUATION.

RURAL TOWNSHIPS WOULD SEE RESIDENTIAL TAXES INCREASE BY $19.36 PER $100-THOUSAND BUT AG LANDS WOULD JUMP $71.06 PER $100-THOUSAND.

A MOTION TO USE LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX TO REDUCE THE AG LAND TAX ASKING FAILED ON A 2-2 TIE VOTE. SUPERVISOR GEORGE BOYKIN WAS NOT ABLE TO ATTEND TUESDAY'S MEETING.

SUPERVIORS STILL HAVE TIME TO CHANGE THEIR MINDS ON THE BUDGET BECAUSE IT HAS NOT BEEN PUBLISHED YET.

A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED BUDGET WILL BE HELD ON MARCH 13TH.