Flathead County commissioners voted unanimously to pass the fiscal year 2012 (FY 2012) budget, which they said is a balanced and responsible approach to the county’s finances.
According to Flathead County Administrator Mike Pence, the county will start the fiscal year with a balance of $35.9 million and a total revenue projection of $79 million.
Total expenditures are predicted to hit $78.1 million, leaving an ending balance of $36.8 million.
County cash reserve funds, which are supported by property tax dollars, are projected to be $11.4 million at the end of FY 2012. Since the bulk of the county’s revenue comes from property taxes, Pence said it remains challenging to maintain healthy balances with slow growth.
Flathead County has 515 full-time employees compared to 516 from the previous fiscal year. Personnel costs are a major expenditure in the county budget, Pence said, and there was no cost-of-living adjustment included in this budget.
Also included in the budget was a $1.24 million payment for the North Shore development settlement, with another $1 million to be budgeted in the next fiscal year.
The county’s total market value increased from $8.24 billion to $8.77 billion, and the new taxable value is certified at $238.9 million, a 3.3 percent increase over last year’s $231.3 million.
The budget’s tax levy is 150.54 mills compared to 145.62 from FY 2011, representing a 3 percent increase in the county’s total mill levy. Total property tax for FY 2012 is $32,651,763, compared to FY 2011’s $30,759,450.
The value of a countywide mill is now $229,890, an increase over last year’s value of $222,786.
Commissioner Pam Holmquist said the budget looks “very good” and she was impressed with the county’s finances. Commissioners Dale Lauman and Jim Dupont thanked the county’s department heads for their collaboration on the budget and said the county is living within its means.