KEOSAUQUA — The Van Buren County Supervisors approved a $7.5 million budget that calls for an overall property tax freeze. The board held a public hearing Monday following their regular meeting.
After County Auditor Jon Finney explained the budget, supervisors took questions that included the current snow removal expenditures, health insurance premium increase, new road equipment purchases planned, quality of rock in the next crushing, tax abatements and consideration of sale of the county farm.
Supervisor Marvin Philips said the budget was made with the assumption of a 10 percent health increase; the county learned it will be around 29 percent.
“We’ve had a good four years on health insurance until this year,” Philips said. “We’re trying to do things to get it lowered, and if we can’t, we will contact ISAC about the possibility of changing groups.”
Wellmark representatives told supervisors last week that one of the reasons for the increase was state mandates. However, Gary Adam said representatives told him the mandates haven’t gone through and Wellmark might have been anticipating them.
Van Buren’s claims were roughly the same this year as last, according to Finney.
“Claims are about 75 percent of what we paid out in premiums,” Adam said, adding that he thought it might be a good time to sell county farm property that is drawing income. “We have pretty good spots overlooking the river, and I think it’s an option we should look at.”
Adam said he was also against giving out tax abatements on new property or remodeled property. The amount of property that is abated is currently around $162,000, he said. “If everybody paid taxes, everybody’s taxes would be lower.”
Board Chairman Marvin Philips said supervisors recently cut in half the amount of the abatement.
“I think the abatement helps the county and doesn’t penalize those for adding on to their property.”
Supervisors also discussed new equipment purchases. “We haven’t bought a motor grader in several years,” Philips said.
Adam said that a motor grader was recently refurbished. “You can rebuild motors for a lot less,” he said.
In other action, the board heard:
• Mr. and Mrs. Roy Eubanks, rural Fairfield, who discussed requirements for an elevation certificate on flood plain property and control of river levels.
• Conservation director Jim Settles discuss Chequest access area fencing near a county quarry pit. The consensus was to build a fence with costs shared between the conservation REAP and secondary road funds.
• County Engineer David Barrett’s update on road projects including completion of a quarry overburden contract, completion of Eagle Drive box culvert, blade operator reports, dust control notification and summer rock maintenance plans.
Randolph announces retirement
KEOSAUQUA — Van Buren County supervisor Bill Randolph announced that this term will be his last.
Randolph, former publisher of the Van Buren County Register, will finish his 16th year on the board. Previously, he had been county treasurer for two terms.
“At the end of this year, I’m going to retire,” Randolph told supervisors Monday. “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it.
“We’ve held the line in the budget and it is very near to where it was last year,” he said. “Our employees have really cooperated with us.”
Board Chairman Marvin Philips said, “Bill has been a big help on the board and we will miss him.”
