Greene County Commission signs $285M budget

The Greene County Commission yesterday adopted a $285 million county budget for 2024, along with appropriated general fund expenditures of $89 million. 

The budget estimates 2024 revenue at $245 million with a prior year surplus of $187 million. In 2023, the budgeted expenditure was $262 million, with general fund expenditures of $82.8 million. 

Greene County Budget Officer Jeff Scott gave the budget presentation prior to yesterday’s adoption and signing. 

Scott pointed out that taxes make up 64% of total receipts for the county, with 9% from intergovernmental receipts and the remainder from other sources, like fees, services and Greene County Sheriff’s Office revenue. 

Scott said current-year operating revenues are greater than appropriated operating expenses by more than $9 million. 

“That puts us in a very strong position,” he said. 

Scott said since Greene County voters passed a half-percent sales tax in 2017, the county has taken on a lot of extra debt for building projects. Outstanding debt at the start of 2024 is $153 million, he said, and 2024 payments will amount to $17 million. 

“This year, we’re going to pay $17,119,000 in bond payments. In 2032, nine years from now, we will be expected to pay $10,007,000,” he said. “So, over the next nine years, our bond payments will reduce $7,111,850, and that deduction is taken into account in our 20-year plan where we make sure that we keep the balances that we need to keep a sound county.” 

He also pointed out that personnel expenses are a key item to look at while monitoring general revenue, as 74% of appropriations are for personnel. 

The budget adopted yesterday has pay increases for county workers, including a 4.5% cost-of-living adjustment for all county employees, plus a midyear merit step increase for eligible employees. Last year, county workers received a 5% cost-of-living increase plus a market adjustment increase, as well as a midyear merit step for those who qualified, according to the county’s website. 

Additionally, $1.7 million was budgeted for $2 per hour pay increases for Greene County Sheriff’s Office commissioned officers. 

The budget also creates a new pay grade ladder for first and senior prosecuting attorneys and adjusts overall assistant prosecutor salaries.  

The 31st Circuit Court will add one position to its staff and the county’s Juvenile Office will add two, representing the only new county positions budgeted. In the 2023 spending plan, 16 new positions were added. 

The budget also reflects up to $5.9 million in American Rescue Act Plan allocations for community projects and campus preservations, such as window replacement in the Historic Courthouse. 

Additionally, the U.S. presidential election adds to the operational costs this year for the county clerk. 

For infrastructure expenditures, there is a $3.1 million increase in county bridge replacement projects and a $2 million reduction in new road construction.  

Scott’s report offered a breakdown of expenditures by office for the county’s four top funds: general revenue, law enforcement, road and bridge, and assessment. 

All but one office – the assessor, down by $450,000 – shows an increase in planned expenditures. The largest increased expenditure will be in the sheriff’s office, up by $7.9 million year over year, followed by the commission, up by $5.6 million. 

Commissioners said no to nearly $7 million in requests from county officeholders and department managers, Scott said. Eleven public meetings were held leading up to the budget. 

“In this year’s budget process, the commission, in collaboration with various county leaders and judicial representatives, faced the challenge of a constrained fiscal environment,” said Presiding Commissioner Bob Dixon. “Citizens should be reassured that every decision was made with a strategic view towards sustainable financial planning, considering the broader economic trends. This approach has enabled Greene County to uphold a stable and promising financial outlook with a keen focus on the well-being of our county workforce.” 

The full budget is available online at GreeneCountyMo.gov/budget.