YORK – The York County Commissioners will receive their first draft of the proposed budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year this week.
York County Commissioner Chairman Randy Obermier, who sits on the budget committee, told his fellow board members the committee would be meeting again and they would have their drafts by Aug. 1.
“Some of the numbers we have now, from some departments, just won’t go, will not work,” Obermier said. “Some of the numbers are just too high. And we have heard from nearly 200 property owners who don’t want their taxes to go up so we will do our fair share to not have their county property taxes go up. Again, we are just one taxing entity when it comes to property taxes, but we will do our part to help keep those down.”
The committee, which is made up of Obermier, Commissioner Daniel Grotz, the clerk and the treasurer, asked each department to hold their budgets to a certain percentage of growth and continue to meet with those who have exceeded those requested percentages.
“Before I was on this board and on the budget committee, I don’t think I knew all of what goes into this,” said Grotz. “I often get questions about why I’m so stingy when it comes to spending county money.” He said when he hears agencies and others say they cannot take a decrease in funding, he then thinks about how private individuals often have to take decreases in personal funds whether they like it or not. “So I guess that’s why I’m stingy, because we have to hold the line here.”
The budget conversation was held during committee reports, which also included the following:
- Commissioner Andy Bowman said the safety/security committee met and also did an on-site inspection at the aging/transportation facility. He noted the historical association board would be having a meeting regarding a new location. “Also, the new weed superintendent has hit the ground running and things are going really well.” He also added maintenance work was being scheduled at the roads department.
- Commissioner Joe Burgess, who sits on the Blue Valley Community Action board, said the agency is currently writing letters to the Nebraska Congressional delegates asking for preservation of federal grants and funding.
- Commissioner LeRoy Ott, who sits on the county’s aging services board, said a new coordinator is needed at the senior center in York, and Lori Byers, aging services/transportation director, had been contacting other counties to inquire as to how they are “getting by money-wise with cuts in funding.”
- Grotz said the York County Development Corporation’s board had met. He also noted how, with the roads department, “some culverts are causing problems, so we started the discussion on how to better schedule this work instead of taking care of them when people get around to it.”
- Obermier said the 911 emergency call center committee met “and we have a full staff there now which really helps.” He also said they are in a waiting pattern when it comes to how many broadband expansion projects will take place in York County now that the state project has been pared back.
