Citizens Criticize Spending Increase

Fayette County Commissioners Court held a public hearing on the 2024 budget on Wednesday morning, Aug. 30.

Four members of the public spoke at the 9 a.m. meeting, and all of them were critical of increased spending in the budget.

“While I very much agree that we do need higher wages for employees, particularly public servants,” said Craig Moreau, the now-private citizen who formerly served as county emergency management chief and ran for County Judge last year. “We need months of reserves left, not days of reserves left.

Moreau raised concerns about the County depending on grants and the sale of propour erty to fund operations.

“Relying on temporary things like grants that may or may not come, relying on the sale of something that hasn’t sold yet – that’s dangerous,” Moreau said.

Catherine Geesemann of Flatonia spoke about rising property taxes. The County budget will raise property taxes by more than 1.3 million, or nearly seven percent more than the current year.

“Everyone in this County is suffering,” said Catherine Geesemann of Flatonia. “Even if you don’t own land, your renters are paying more because landowners are raising the rents.

“Kids that are graduating can’t buy or rent in our County. You’re shortsighted. To me, you don’t even have a balanced budget. You’re drawing from reserves.”

Another citizen, Connie Sacco, asked whether the court considered any spending cuts.

County Judge Dan Mueller said the County saved about $75,000 by combining the offices of county grant administrator and emergency management coordinator. In addition, Mueller said the County will defer the cost of a new ambulance next year by acquiring it through a leasepurchase instead of paying for it outright.

“Each department head is always encouraged to save wherever they could,” Mueller said.

Pct. 4 Commissioner Drew Brossmann said he cut about $200,000 out of his road and bridge budget from what he initially planned to spend.

“Once we got the numbers, I brought that down to stay below the revenues,” Brossmann said. “I think a few others dropped their road and bridge departments’ (spending), so we made some cuts there.”

Pct. 1 Commissioner Jason McBroom said spending cuts have been minimal this budget cycle.

“Ever since I’ve been here, this is the least amount that has ever been cut out of the budget,” McBroom said. “If you asked me, nothing has really been cut. Or to put it another way, everybody got what they asked for.”

McBroom and Pct. 3 Commissioner Harvey Berckenhoff both delivered prepared statements critical of spending in next year’s budget.

Look for their comments and more about the public hearing in Tuesday’s paper.