ELLSWORTH – According to County Administrator Jason Matthys, the county portion of residents’ property tax bills should be lower in 2023, down $110 per $200,000 property.

The Pierce County Board of Supervisors heard a first reading of the budget at its Oct. 27 meeting, which listed the amount of tax to be levied on all taxable property in 2023 as $20,706,619.

This number includes the county operating levy of $16,761,587, debt service of $3,213,188, county library funding at $531,844 and county aid for bridges at $200,000.

The 2023 state limit on operating tax levy is $16,761,587, which means the proposed 2023 budget is $244,857 over that amount.

In his memo to county board supervisors, Matthys outlined proposed changes to the budget in order to find that $244,857 and balance the budget. If the board votes in November to follow the Finance & Personnel Committee’s recommendation to balance the proposed budget, the mill rate should decrease, Matthys said.

F& P’s recommendations for balancing the budget include:

• Removing a family insurance package from Human Resources, $27,464

• Apply undesignated funds that were returned to the General Fund from the Security Fund in 2022, $46,000

• Increase revenue through Land Management sanitary funds, $12,000

• Increase revenue through Land Management monumentation fees, $2,000

• Increase revenue through Emergency Management Foundation grants funds, $17,000

• Realize $7,025 in saving because part of an emergency management position is funded by Xcel Energy and not contracted

• Another emergency management position is partially funded by Xcel, at $14,676

• A zoning administrator vacancy (new hire will cost less), $15,605

• Remove soil conditioner attachment (maintenance), $12,000

• Remove brush cutter/ mower attachment, $10,100

• Add funds for equipment rental, $1,200

• Increase rental revenue for the fairgrounds, $5,000 • Register in probate: Reduce budget funds for “legal” from $120,000 to $105,000, a savings of $15,000

• Reduce motor vehicle repairs for Veterans Service Oce vehicle, $2,000

• Reduce the amount requested for a new County Clerk vehicle, considering tradein of existing vehicle, $6,000

• Reduce budgeted per diem for Extension,

$800

• Saving from long-term retirement and new hire in Parks Department, $11,000

• Adding $14,326 for long-term liability

• Recommend July 1, 2023 start date for new patrol deputy/court security ocer,

$56,713

The 2023 proposed budget is 1.654% higher than the 2022 budget, which was $20,369,671. At the June 28, 2022 county board meet –

ing, supervisors voted to maximize the allow – able levy from the state (based on net new construction) when budgeting for 2023. If the county doesn’t capture that extra allowable levy, it can't claim it in future years. “The county number is going to be better

in 2023 than it was in 2022," Chair Jon Aubart said.

Supervisor Mel Pittman didn't agree, say ing that taxes might not drop from the coun- ty perspective thanks to increased real estate assessments in many municipalities. Matthys said that despite possible increased real es- tate assessments, the county portion of taxes should still be lower.

The board will vote on the proposed budget at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15.