Bourbon County Commissioners worked Tuesday afternoon to create a budget with no mill levy increase for 2019.
That meant eliminating increases that totaled nearly 11 additional mills: 7.7 mills from the sheriff and corrections requests; about a half a mill for additional economic development funds; and the nearly three additional mills to fund a bridge crew in the Public Works Department. On Tuesday afternoon, commissioners met with Sheriff Bill Martin and Jail Administrator Bobby Reed. Martin submitted a correction on his budget request, which had included a part-time clerk that needs to be removed because Reed also had included the same position in his budget request.
Martin presented three options for commissioners. One option includes a 3-percent pay increase for all staff, four additional deputies and the additional vehicles and equipment those deputies would require.
(Read more: Fort Scott Tribune)