The Washington County Board of Commissioners will conduct a public meeting to ask for comments about the proposed 2005 county budget at 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 14, in the board room at the government center in Stillwater.The county board and staff have limited the increase in the tax levy to inflation plus population/parcel growth, focused on providing core services and programs, addressed the level of service, identified programs and services that could be reduced or phased out over a specific period of time, and focused on outcomes and tangible results.
ìThe county continues to maintain its financial integrity and identify areas where technology can improve customer service, reduce the need for additional staff, or streamline its operations,î said Molly OíRourke, deputy administrator, in a release this week.
ìThe proposed 2005 budget reflects a very modest increase, primarily due to inflationary increases,î OíRourke said.
Expenditures will increase by 1.48 percent to $142.3 million. The gross tax levy will increase 5.5 percent to $74 million due to the loss of intergovernmental revenue.
The net tax levy will remain just under 5.5 percent at 5.48 percent ($66.5 million). Non-levy revenues will decrease 3.88 percent to $67.3 million.
ìFor the first time, Washington County is more dependent on levy than all other sources of revenue,î OíRourke said.
ìThis is a key change and a sign that the state is shifting costs to local units of government and reducing intergovernmental funding of services. The county is now more dependent on local taxpayer dollars to deliver services.î
The tax levy will account for 52 percent of revenue in 2005, as opposed to 38 percent in 2000.
Washington Countyís tax rate will decrease again in 2005 from 31.2 percent to 28.6 percent; however, property owners will see a modest increase in taxes, the official said.
ìIf the value of a personís home remained the same from year to year, that property owner would actually see a decrease in taxes, OíRourke said. ìHowever, because Washington County is a desirable area to live, property values are rising and taxes are going up slightly too.î
For example, the county portion of tax on a property valued at $150,000 in 2000 was $558. In 2005, that same property would have an estimated value of $245,500 and taxes would be approximately $657.
ìFrom 2000 to 2005, the property used in this example gained $95,500 in value or 12.7 percent annually,î OíRourke said.
ìThis same property saw only a 3.5 percent annual increase in taxes over the same time period.î
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