County revenue projected to climb
County revenue projected to climb
By STU MERRY
McLean County should expect a sharp revenue increase in 2013. That’s the prediction from county Auditor Les Korgel.
At their meeting Tuesday, Aug. 7, Korgel said the county has already hit income projections for this year, and there are four months to go.
In his budget narrative, Korgel said while oil prices have dipped on the world market, much of the state’s crude is being shipped by rail to higher priced markets.
“This has helped our prices,” he said.
Korgel estimates income to be up approximately $1 million in 2013. That will help in some areas with the mill levy control, he said, but valuations are also expected to be up next year.
“Most if it is oil revenue and sales tax,”
In other finance matters, commissioners heard health insurance costs for the county could increase 16 percent over the next two years. To retain employees, commissioners approved providing 2 percent to the employee retirement fund.
“We need to do whatever we can to try to make our employees stay here,” said Commissioner Julie Hudson Schenfisch.
The cost to the county is insignificant, reasoned Commissioner Steve Lee.
“It’s just a tiny portion of our budget,” he said.
