Commissioner presents video clip to support recent motion

Antelope County commissioners, after hearing comments from several constituents and county officials at a pair of public hearings Sept. 17, adopted the budget for the 2019-2020 fiscal year.

The $19,155,429 budget includes asking for $6,114,213 from taxpayers next year through a county levy of .246195.

In order to balance all components of the budget, the levy computed by County Clerk Lisa Payne is about one-fourth cent more than the 2.5-cent increase proposed by commissioners in early September.

Taxpayers will see the increase on tax statements that will be mailed in December and come due during 2020.

Public comment included several landowners citing increased tax paid in recent years, although County Assessor Kelly Mueller claimed actual taxes paid on ag land had gone down for the last three years.

Mueller also commented on the relationship between valuation changes and levy changes, adding, "The mill levy is when you put the county levy with the school levy with all the levies, so just to be clear, we are talking about the county levy not the mill levy."

Doug Hall, a landowner who arrived after the public hearing on the budget concluded, said, "I don't think we need an explanation about valuation or mill levies, we all understand how that works."

Hall told the commissioners, "I don't think the people of Antelope County understand that you guys need to spend more money, I really don't. We need to start figuring out where we can tighten our belts and that's why there are three new board members this year. That was a clear signal. You guys didn't like that - some of the people in the county didn't like that - and they are trying to take care of that problem, they think. That problem will keep coming back. Pretty soon you won't have any money to spend."

Hall also questioned tax assessed and paid by wind farms.

Nameplate capacity tax is based on amount of energy generated by the wind towers, and is prorated during the first year of operation. The amount paid to date for the Upstream farm is "minimal" due to production not beginning until last December. Deb Branstiter, county treasurer, said the company is current on tax payments.

"They are current, so we have all we can get," Smith said.

Hall reminded the leaders that the proposed levy increase was intended as a one-year fix, due to the March flood.

Smith agreed that was his intent, but said, "I cannot promise that, but I will tell you that's what I will work my tail off to try to accomplish that."

Payne commented on implications of potential bonding of road repairs in the future.

"The thing is, a two and a half million-dollar tax bond, we are going to have to pay it off, how much is it going to increase your taxes to pay that bond?" she asked. "I'm not saying it can't go away, but I'm saying other expenditures, you have to have revenue to offset."

Smith acknowledged public input at the hearings and by phone.

"I'm really glad that they (comments) have been made... I had a different thought process in February or in January, when I came onto this board, things we would be able to change, improve on, hopefully having some results of that show up by budget (time)," he said. "I don't like sitting here right now making this decision, but that's where I'm at."

Borer also expressed gratitude to those who attended the hearings. Prior to taking a vote, the board chairman said, "I would again like to voice my opposition to the increase. I don't think it is needed, I think we can manage our way through it, but I am only one vote today."

Motions to adopt the budget, tax request and levy, along with authorization to increase the levy allocation of restricted funds an additional 1% over the allowable growth rate of 2.5%, were all made by Commissioner Charlie Henery, with seconds from Commissioner Eli Jacob. All carried with 3-1 votes, Borer voting nay and Commissioner Allan Bentley absent.

Coupled with this year's 1% overall valuation increase, taxpayers will see an approximate 12% increase when tax statements arrive in December – provided they made no improvements that would further increase property value. Property owners in villages and cities, where larger valuation increases occurred, and those who made improvements will see larger increases.

As budget discussion concluded, Borer asked if there was further business, Smith responded, "There may be Mr. Chairman."

Before Smith continued, Henery moved to adjourn stating, "We are done with the agenda."

With a second for adjournment by Jacob on the table, Smith asked if discussion could be entered without being listed on the agenda, to which the chairman answered affirmatively, "as long as we don't do any motions."

Smith then voted no to the adjournment motion, as did Borer, who said he was curious what Smith had on his mind.

"There was a little bit of discussion last week over the amendment of the minutes and after that was done, after the meeting was over, and then a local newspaper comes out and there's an article in print there that a surveillance, a video had been reviewed of that meeting and that my one statement was not visible in the viewing," Smith said. "And then I have been told that there needs to be an apology over that issue."

He proceeded to present a 10-second video clip from the surveillance company, Applied Connectivity, in support of his motion to amend the minutes of the Aug. 22 meeting to add an audience member had made an obscene and inappropriate gesture.

He said he was disappointed about "statements made that there was nothing on the tape, that it could not be seen, I guess I'm looking for anyone to say yay or nay."

He concluded, "I have not ever, and I will not ever make a statement that is not truthful, that has happened with my position."

Smith then moved for adjournment. However, there was more to be said.

Borer commented on the possibility of banning individuals from meetings in the case of similar incidents, but was advised by County Attorney Joe Abler that the meetings are public.

"If it becomes a situation like it endangers lives, something like that, then we have to look at calling extra security and (have) people removed when it becomes very disruptive. In my opinion, that does not warrant it," he said. "I understand, I agree that's inappropriate and rude."

Borer addressed Henery, "Charlie, you stated in front of my office last week, you thought there should be a public apology immediately for what was done at the last Tuesday meeting. You said you looked at it and even enlarged it. 'There's nothing there,' you said."

"What do you call that?" he asked in reference to the video clip.

Although Henery admitted making the statement, he said he was not convinced about the gesture and opined it was not county business.

"My point is we need to get our heads out of our butts and start conducting county business and quit worrying about what's going on out there with somebody supposedly flipping somebody off or cursing," Henery said, before seconding the pending motion to adjourn.

But more was to be said.

From the audience, Jenny Smith said the distractions in the room influence how business is conducted, at times.

She was called on "point of order," by Mueller, who was reminded control of the meeting was relegated to the chairman, before Borer called for a vote on adjournment.