• 
• CLASS
• JOBS
• AUTO
• HOMES

5 things to know about 2013 county budget proposal

JANESVILLE — Rock County Administrator Craig Knutson introduced his proposed 2013 budget to the Rock County Board on Thursday night, and a Nov. 7 public hearing is scheduled.

Here are five things you need to know about Knutson's proposed budget:

1. The total budget would increase from $175.2 million to $180.7, or an increase of 3.13 percent. However, much of that increase would be $2.4 million of "pass-through" money. Rock County is the head of a multi-county consortium for economic support services. As such, the county will receive $2.4 million that will be passed on to other counties in the consortium.

2. Under state law, the levy for operations is held to the increase in net construction. In Rock County, property value went up 0.89 percent from new construction between 2011 and 2012. That translates to an allowable increase of $556,000. The exact totals for net construction increases have not arrived from the state, so Knutson is only planning for $511,159.

3. The 2013 budget uses $10.4 million in county sales tax revenue. Of that, $7.5 million will be used for operational expenses, and $2.9 million will be used for capital projects. Part of the money for capital projects, $550,000, will be used for improvements to the courthouse security system.

Some of the electronics including cameras, alarms and door controls are more than 17 years old and are becoming difficult to repair, Knutson said in his budget notes.

"We also need to take a look at courthouse security as a whole and whether it should be extended," he wrote.

4. Personnel changes would result in an increase of 1.9 full-time equivalent positions. The 2013 budget includes 1,616.75 positions. Since 2000, the county has reduced its workforce by 277 positions or 19.3 percent.

One of the positions that would disappear is that of Shirley Connors, emergency management director. Connors is retiring in January. Her duties would be absorbed by the Rock County Sheriff's Office. This move would save the county $91,000.

5. Among the budgets of county departments, 28 increased, 16 decreased and eight stayed the same.

BY THE NUMBERS

Rock County Administrator Craig Knutson introduced the budget to the Rock County Board on Thursday night. A public hearing on the budget will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7. The budget will be adopted with any changes at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13.

Total budget

Next year $180.7 million

This year $175.2 million

Increase 3.13 percent

Tax levy

Next year $61.1 million

This year $60.1 million

Increase 1.56 percent

Tax rate

(Per $1,000 of equalized valuation)

Next year $6.64

This year $6.41

Increase 3.56 percent

Note: Percent changes calculated on whole numbers.