Greene County Commission adopts $261M budget

The Greene County Commission on Monday adopted the municipality's 2022 budget, placing a focus on workforce and pay increases, development projects and capital and equipment.

The budget passed by Commissioners Bob Dixon, Rusty MacLachlan and John Russell has total expenditures for all funds of $261.2 million, according to a news release. Comparatively, the 2021 budget had $265.7 million in total appropriations. Roughly $9.1 million in staff requests for the 2022 budget went unfunded.

“The budget process is a large undertaking, and this year, as we do every year, the county worked hard to develop a final budget that balances needs to available funds,” said Dixon, presiding commissioner, in the release. “Citizens can be proud to know there is a great deal of planning and dedication on all levels at the county to make this happen.”

The $261.2 million in planned expenditures is topped by $96.8 million for salaries and benefits. It also includes $47.1 million for capital and equipment.

Within capital and equipment, the county has budgeted $400,000 for an office renovation and $119,000 for technology upgrades to the assessor's office; $165,000 to pretrial for ankle monitoring services; and $95,000 to the Office of Emergency Management for outdoor warning siren, tow vehicle and computer replacements.  

Under the salaries and hiring category, the budget includes cost-of-living adjustments for employees, a 19% increase in starting pay and funding for 81 new positions, primarily in the new jail, according to the release.  

Project focuses include the Kansas Expressway extension project, infrastructure improvements and more than $1.8 million for mental health services.

The budget document shows the vast majority of funding for expenditures comes from taxes, at $154.2 million projected for the year.