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County considers 7-percent levy hike

By
Mavis Fodness

Commissioners received 2020 budget requests from the various county departments, and if the requests would be  granted, the county levy would increase by 7.11 percent.
Requests over $10,000 include an additional $100,000 to the highway department for road and bridge repairs, $82,000 to human services, $26,000 to the library in support of a full-time position, and $185,000 requested by the sheriff’s office for an additional peace officer and membership to the drug task force.
Commissioner Stan Williamson wasn’t in support of increasing the sheriff’s office budget.
He said constituents have not called about law enforcement services but have talked to him about road conditions. 
His rural district is also concerned about current state of the farm economy.
“We need to tighten our belts because everything else is tight,” he said.
The budget committee will meet to discuss the requests and make recommendations coming back to the board.
Commissioners have until Sept. 30 to set the preliminary levy.
In other business, commissioners were informed the deputy Shelley Douty submitted her resignation. She’d been an officer in Rock County for 12 years.

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