Cass County Commission Approves 2009 Budget

Cass County Review – The 2009 Budget

President Thomas Jefferson once said, “Whenever the people are well informed, they can be trusted with their own government; that whenever things get so far wrong as to attract their notice, they may be relied on to set them to rights.”

Nothing can be more productive than government providing its citizens with information about actions taken and efforts made. One of the most important aspects of the County Commission is to plan and approve the annual budget. It is our duty to make sure that local tax dollars are used in a wise and efficient manner.

GENERAL BUDGET INFORMATION
The Cass County Budget for 2009 was officially adopted on January 29th, 2009. This year’s budget for all fund categories is approximately $38.9 million, an increase of approximately 1.5% from the amended budget of 2008. Cass County expects a small increase in revenue and has essentially flat-lined most budget lines.

Citizens should note that specific fund categories must be used for their designed purposes per state law. While it would appear there is a great deal of revenue, citizens should understand that fees and state dollars received by these various funds must be counted as revenue, but those funds are designated and must be used as state law or county ordinance mandates. The elected officials who oversee many of these categories have agreed to take their surplus in revenue and help the county fund services and use tax dollars more efficiently. Specifically, the Assessor, County Clerk, Collector, Prosecuting Attorney, and Recorder of Deeds have agreed to take a portion of their surplus and provide the county with revenue needed to provide services.
This cooperative spirit of your elected officials is an example of government working for the people. We should also note that much of the revenue collected by the county goes to pay off voter-approved projects like the Justice Center.

The 2009 budget a 3% cost of living increase for regular county employees. The county only provides $300 per month to county employees toward their health insurance costs. County employees pay the rest of their healthcare costs.

DESIGNATED FUNDS PER STATE LAW
Of the 33 fund categories in the county budget, 28 of the fund categories are ruled by state law or county ordinance and must be used as designated. Over $16 million in county funds are designated by Missouri law and funds can be only be used for specific fund categories such as Assessor’s Office, Road & Bridge, 911, Delinquent Tax Fund, Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Sheriff’s Office, Recorder of Deeds, Elections, Grants, County Clerk’s Office, County Collector’s Office, Drug Court, and other services.

Within the general budget there are several funds that are controlled by county ordinance. For example, several years ago citizens approved a one-quarter cent sales tax for law enforcement and it must be used for those law enforcement funds.

DEBT SERVICE
The 2009 budget projects that the short-term debt will be approximately $600,000. Cass County’s long-term debt is for the cost of the Justice Center - $37 million. This debt is secured by a special one-quarter cent sales tax that voters approved in 1999. The county is in a good position to make payments on the Justice Center and maintains a good credit rating. Last year’s outside audit by Trout, Beeman, & Co. confirmed this.

GENERAL COUNTY FUND
The General County Budget makes up $10.6 million or 27% of the total budget. $7,869,407 makes up the largest portion of this budget and citizens should note that $4,359,888 of that $7.8 million is transferred to the Law Enforcement-Justice Center fund to help pay for law enforcement and the Cass County Justice Center.

Other parts of the General County budget include the County Commission, Emergency Management, County Clerk, County Treasurer, County Auditor, Health Department, Codes Department, Planning & Zoning, Maintenance, Information-Technology, Recorders Office, County Collector, Medical Examiner, University Extension, Environmental, WIC, Vital Records, Buildings & Grounds Maintenance, and other services.

Cass County voted to keep $1.4 million in reserves to insure that basic county services can continue if there further down-turn in the economy. This is almost 4% of the total budget.

LAW ENFORCEMENT / JUSTICE CENTER
The LEJC Budget Fund is over $10 million or 25% of the county budget. Included in this budget are the Public Administrator, Prosecuting Attorney, Child Support, Juvenile Department, Jail Services, Sheriff’s Office, Circuit Court, debt payments on the Cass County Justice Center, and other law enforcement related services.

Citizens should be aware that jail services, housing prisoners, payment of sheriff deputies, equipment, patrol cars, the prosecuting attorney’s office staff, juvenile officers, jail equipment, court security, and other law enforcement services are funded through this budget. As the metro area grows, Cass County is committed to funding law enforcement services and supporting our county sheriff, prosecuting attorney, and judicial system.

ROADS & BRIDGES
There are several funds that are used to pay for county road and bridge work. The County is required by law to use the Road & Bridge Tax for county road work. If you combine all Road & Bridge funds, the county is spending $9.1 million or 23% of the county budget on roads and bridges.

Several years ago voters passed a one-quarter cent Road & Bridge sales tax. One-third of that revenue goes to the cities and Two-thirds goes to the counties. Cass County will receive $1.9 million of these dollars for county projects and cities will receive $1.3 million for various city projects. Cass County receives some federal aid with $418,000 going toward the Federal Bridge Fund. The Road & Bridge also has a reserve fund of $163,848. The county will spend $77,085 on neighborhood improvement district bonds and $77,130 on the county “Impact” fund.

There are approximately 1,000 miles of road in Cass County. 750 miles are made of gravel, 226 miles are “Chip & Seal”, and 24 miles are asphalt. It costs roughly $70,000 to “Chip & Seal” one mile of road. It costs approximately $160,000 to asphalt one mile of road. It costs $40,000 to create one mile of a new gravel road. It cost about $1,200 per mile to maintain a gravel road.

In order to “Chip & Seal” ten miles of new road it would cost the county approximately $700,000. Further, the cost of simply maintaining one mile of “Chip & Seal” road is $2,336 per mile on an annual basis. Combine the cost of bridge work, ditch work, and other services, citizens can see the high cost facing our roads department. We have also been informed that the 2009 pricing for “Chip & Seal” materials could increase 30%.

Thus, the County Commission has formed the Road & Bridge Advisory Board and the Cass County Roads Task Force will begin working to develop a clear and comprehensive plan to addressing our road needs. Citizen input will be used to determine need and create a Road & Bridge Plan for Cass County.

COUNTY OFFICES
As we face an economic down-turn, your elected county officials deserve credit for their willingness to work with the County Commission to reduce spending and flat-line budgets. For example, in order to curb spending, we took items like the purchase of new sheriff vehicles and put them on hold. Offices are working to curb overhead costs. We will do our best to use our current resources in an effective and efficient manner.

Further, as mentioned earlier, elected officials who have capital surpluses have indicated their willingness to put those funds into the General County Fund to help cover the cost of services. The goal is to make sure that we, as elected officials, use your tax dollars in the most efficient manner possible.

As our founding fathers sought to develop an open government that serves the people, we will remain open to the citizens of Cass County and provide you with the information you need to be involved and informed in your county government.

Cass County Seeks to Improve Customer Service

Cass County Updates & Adopts New Building Codes
By Brian L. Baker

Harrisonville, Mo. – This past December three public meetings were held to allow public input into county building codes and the adoption of new international codes. Commissioners Jon Seabaugh, Jim Meara, and Gary Mallory approved the new codes on December 30, 2008.

The County Commission adopted the 2006 International Codes and the 2005 National Electric code. These newly adopted codes will go into effect February 1, 2009. The specific codes that were adopted are as follows: 2006 International Building Code (IBC); 2006 International Fire Code (IFC); 2006 International Residential Code for 1 & 2 Family Dwellings (IRC); 2006 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC); 2006 International Plumbing Code (IPC); 2005 National Electric Code.

The new commissioners that took office at the beginning of 2009 are anxious to work with the Building & Codes Department to improve customer service and public relations with builders, developers, and citizens. Associate Commissioner Bill Cook stated, “We are working to improve our public services to the community. Updating our codes, improving safety, and communication are keys to improving how our codes department works with citizens and developers. We want to be approachable as a county.”

The County Commission sites their understanding that building codes provide protection from tragedy caused by fire, structural collapse and general deterioration in our homes, schools, stores and manufacturing facilities. Safe buildings are achieved through proper design and construction practices and a code administration program that ensures compliance. Home and business owners have a substantial investment that is protected through a sound codes plan.

While the need for sound codes is important, the Cass County Commission also understands that government should not be a burden. “Our goal is to help our codes department help the citizens. We do not want to be a hindrance to builders, developers, and families,” stated Presiding Commissioner Gary Mallory. “Our goal is to serve citizens.”

Associate Commissioner Brian Baker concurred, “The preservation of life and safety, as well as the maintenance of property values over time, is the intent of a sound uniform code. I hope that these changes are a positive step forward in serving our citizens in a more effective way and reduce the burden of ‘red-tape’ on builders and businesses.”

The adopted amendments to the referenced codes can be obtained from the Cass County Building Codes Department. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Cass County Building Codes Department during normal business hours at 816-380-8134. Traey Lambertz is the Cass County Director of Building Codes.

Cass County Announces MoDOT Plans

Cass County Commission Announces MoDOT Plans for Cass County
By Brian L. Baker

Harrisonville, Mo. – The Cass County Commission has been working with MoDOT to implement the Missouri Department of Transportation’s “Safe & Sound Bridge Program.” The Commission is pleased to announce that MoDOT will replace the decks on the bridges and make other structural improvements to 18 bridges throughout Cass County in the next five years.

In just a few short weeks since taking office, the new County Commission has taken fast steps to improve county services. MoDOT’s announcement coincides with the Commission’s effort to work more closely with the Cass County Roads Advisory Board and their plans to create a Road & Bridge Task Force. Associate Commissioner Brian Baker says the Commission is committed to moving forward hand-in-hand with citizens.

“Commissioner Bill Cook is organizing a task force that will review our road system, coordinate with MoDOT, and begin a long-term plan to improve and maintain our county roadways. Further, the Road Advisory Board and the task-force is an effort to include more citizens in the process. We are here to serve…and we want to walk side-by-side with the citizens of Cass County,” stated Baker.

MoDOT announced that four bridges will be fixed this year under the “Safe & Sound Bridge Program.” They include bridges on Route O over Poney Creek and over the Grand River, Route 2 over the Grand River, and Route B over Knob Creek. These four bridges will be closed to through traffic for up to 60 days sometime during the spring and summer to allow the contractor to complete work quickly. The closures will detour traffic to nearby routes.

A community briefing to explain the details of these closures will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, February 17, 2009, at Cass Midway High School, 5801 E. Route 2, Cleveland, Missouri. Maps showing all “Safe & Sound” bridges in both Johnson and Cass Counties will be on display at the community briefing. MoDOT stated that all bridges listed in the program will be improved in the next five years. They also noted that closures will affect school bus and emergency service routes. Schools and emergency services will be provided information to help them find alternative routes to serve citizens.

The County Commission encourages citizens to attend the MoDOT community briefing on February 17 at Cass Midway High School. “We want to hear from citizens,” stated Baker. “These briefings help us open up lines of communication. We look forward to talking with citizens.”

Cass County Announces Information Services & Show Me Green Plans!

Cass County Commission Announces E-Mail Information Services

Harrisonville, Mo. – The Cass County Commission is kicking of 2009 by working to be more open and informative about issues facing the county. Citizens can now sign up for “Cass County Info” by logging onto www.casscounty.com and signing up to receive email updates.

The County Commission is taking steps to provide more web-based information and resources to citizens. “It is our goal to let citizens know exactly what is taking place and include citizens in decisions and discussions,” stated Presiding Commissioner Gary Mallory. “We want to be open and work with citizens to find new solutions that help us better serve the county.”

When you log onto www.casscounty.com, citizens can click on the link that says “Cass County Info” and add your email to the distribution list. This distribution list will receive email information from Cass County Office Holders and Department Heads on an ongoing basis.

Associate Commissioner Bill Cook made web-based information and access and key issue in his campaign. “This is one of my highest priorities and I believe this is a major step to helping us make Cass County the #1 county in the state.”

Brian Baker, who represents the north area of Cass County on the County Commission, agrees that communication and information is vital to community improvement and improved services. While serving in the Missouri House, Baker uses email services to send out his “Jefferson City Review,” a weekly to bi-weekly update of actions and issues in Jefferson City.

“There is no doubt the best way to start serving citizens as we start a new year. Communication and openness builds trust in a community,” stated Baker. “Our doors are open…our phones are on…and our email works. Cass County is open for business and service.”

Cass County Commission Goes Green

Harrisonville, Mo. – Just before the New Year started, the Cass County Commission voted to participate in the “Show Me Green Sales Tax Holidays” for 2009. It was one of the last votes cast by former associate commissioners Jon Seabaugh and Jim Meara.

Presiding Commissioner Gary Mallory supported the plan. “The Cass County Commission supports the concept of saving energy which eventually reduces costs. Approval of this ordinance will hopefully provide a further incentive for residents and businesses to purchase ‘energy star certified’ appliances at a reduced tax rate.”

Incoming associate commissioners Brian Baker and Bill Cook concurred with the decision and site the action as a pro-business and pro-family effort. They further believe this provides Cass County one more tool to attract new families, new businesses, and new jobs.

Associate Commissioner Brian Baker was excited that Cass County had taken a piece of legislation he supported while he served in the Missouri Legislature and adopted the plan to help families find affordable and efficient appliances. Senate Bill 1181 was passed by the General Assembly in 2008. “It is exciting that local communities will benefit from a sound economic incentive. This is just another tool needed to help families and local businesses,” stated Baker. “This is another step we can take to improve energy efficiency as a community, care more about the environment, and help families and businesses save dollars.”

Senate Bill 1181 establishes the “Show Me Green Sales Tax Holiday” on the sale of certain “energy star certified” appliances sold between April 19th and April 25th of this year. The County Commission voted to participate in the 2009 holiday and all subsequent “Show Me Green Sales Tax Holidays.”