Pondera County adopts final budget, approves port authority levy question, salary increases and other actions

Pondera County commissioners completed a series of administrative and fiscal actions during August 2024, adopting the final fiscal-year budget and approving several ballot requests and personnel changes.

The board adopted Resolution #10-2024/25 to adopt the final operating budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. The minutes state the commissioners held prior meetings with department heads, considered public comment received during the Aug. 21 hearing and adjusted the budget accordingly. The resolution lists fund-level appropriation authority and records the adoption as effective July 1, 2024.

Separately, the board approved a resolution to place a ballot question on Nov. 5, 2024 asking voters to authorize four additional mills for the Pondera County Regional Port Authority, estimated to generate about $82,000 annually for ten years; the measure is described as noncumulative. That resolution (adopted Aug. 21, 2024) includes homeowner impact estimates.

Commissioners also adopted Resolution #6-2024/25 to implement up to a 4.5% cost-of-living adjustment for elected officials effective Aug. 26, 2024 and to establish a longevity schedule for elected officials not otherwise eligible for longevity under statute. The resolution records specific salary figures for several elected positions and effective dates for pay changes.

On finance matters the minutes record hearings on permissive levies: the Health Insurance Premium Gap permissive levy (the county is authorized up to 21.85 mills but the clerk indicated a likely levy of 7.75 mills for the coming year) and the Sheriff Retirement Service permissive levy (authorized 0.751 mills; clerk indicated the county will likely levy the full amount). The hearing record shows no public comment.

The board approved tax abatement number 1199 per a Tax Appeal Board change and certified county claims and payroll totals: total claims of $458,532.55 and total payroll of $312,566.00, combining to $771,098.55.

Recorded votes on the various resolutions and motions are noted in the minutes and are indicated as carried (either 3-0 or 2-0 where a commissioner was absent). No contested or deferred votes are recorded in the minutes.

The board also adopted a resolution clarifying public-participation procedures and scheduled regular Wednesday final-action meetings at 10:00 a.m., as recorded in the August minutes.