County Budget
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The Board adopted the preliminary budget and tax levy at their September 13th meeting.
2012 Budget and Levy
Reducing spending to eliminate tax increases was the goal for next year’s County budget. For the first time in many years, Stearns County is reducing its levy for the 2012 budget year. Realizing tough financial times for many Stearns County residents, Commissioners approved a preliminary budget that lowers the levy by 1%. This is a budget with no new costly initiatives, reduced capital spending on technology and has current employees absorbing increased workloads without increased manpower. (See five-year personnel trend by department)
The total budget for 2012 is $121 million, an increase of $2.1 million over 2011. Of this budget, $68.9 million will come from a tax levy. (See the Budget Recap and Comparison Sheet)
Taxes represent only about ½ of the county’s total revenue. Federal and state aid accounts for a share of the budget. The remaining budget dollars come from items like fees, fines, licenses, forfeitures, etc. (See the County revenue breakdown by department)
Financial challenges for the County stem from a continued cut in state aid, an increased need for County services in this economic downturn, the loss of tax base due to slow economic growth, and elimination of the Homestead Credit Change. The Homestead Credit Change was repealed by the State Legislature this year. It reduces the amount owners of homes with a value of less than $413,000 pay in property taxes, shifting that loss of property tax onto other property types, like commercial or agricultural.
Goals and Objectives for 2012
The Stearns County budget provides more than 150,000 residents with vital services in the area of law enforcement and prosecution, environmental protection, road and bridge construction, and the protection of vulnerable adults and children.
In addition to providing our core and most important services, there are additional objectives and goals that Stearns County has set for 2012, all of which are funded through grants, are planning projects or focus on finding ways to reduce costs. View the goals and objectives for the 2012 budget.
Other Community Agencies
Funding to other outside community agencies is down about $100,000 in the 2012 budget. Next year Stearns County’s spending on outside agencies drops to $4.03 million, down from $4.13 million in 2011. Stearns County allocates money to such agencies as the Boys & Girls Club, United Way 211, RSVP, Tri-CAP, Council on Aging, the Sexual Assault Center, the Humane Society, and the Great River Regional Library. (See the full list of outside agency requests)
Opportunities for Input
If you would like to give your thoughts on the County’s budget and levy for 2012: