Douglas County’s tax levy will decrease by .47 percent for 2015.
Commissioners approved the tax decrease and next year’s budget during a meeting Tuesday evening.
The levy was approved at $25,470,848, a .47 percent decrease, or $121,089 less than the 2014 levy.
In September, the county board approved a preliminary tax increase of 1.57 percent. However, after budget adjustments, the proposed levy decreased.
Here’s how the 2015 levied tax dollars will be spent within county government: general fund, $12.6 million; public works, $3.9 million; social services, $4 million; library, $784,000; capital projects, $941,000; bonds and interest, $3.2 million.
2015 BUDGET
The county’s 2015 budget was approved at $45.2 million.
The 2014 budget was about $44 million.
The 2015 county budget no longer includes public health. As of January 1, 2015, Douglas County Public Health will merge with Pope and Stevens/Traverse/Grant’s to become Horizon Community Health Board (HCHB).
The formation of a new community health board will separate the public health departments from the counties.
HCHB will become its own entity with a governing board, budget and staff.
Douglas County budgeted $479,464 for its share in HCHB in 2015.
Other new county expenditures in 2015 also included $163,126 for the county’s Senior Services department. It was a division of public health but will be under the direction of the county coordinator, as of January 1, 2015.
BY THE NUMBERS…
2015
ADVERTISEMENT
• $25.5 million –
Final tax levy approved December 2
• .47% decrease from 2014 levy
2014
• $25.6 million – Final tax levy
• 4.25% increase over 2013 levy
