Lincoln County commissioners open FY 2023-24 budget hearing; public commenters seek clarifications

Chairman Hansen opened the Board of Lincoln County Commissioners’ public hearing on the proposed fiscal 2023–2024 budget on July 17, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. The board approved the meeting agenda on a motion by Commissioner Connelly before the hearing began.

Robert Davis, the county’s Planning Director who joined the meeting via video, asked when the budget would be finalized and requested clarification about the Planning Salaries and Consulting line items. Kipp Dana of High Country Behavioral Health, also appearing by video, expressed gratitude for the funding allocated in the proposed budget.

The public hearing was closed at 5:06 p.m.; the transcript does not record a final adoption of the budget during this meeting. Commissioner Connelly said the board has worked to create an employee step plan, noted an increase in assessed valuation and rate increases from power companies, and said the commissioners raised the Fair and Library budget amounts to include stipends that were paid to county employees in June. He also said the county continues to use American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for some budgeted items.

The meeting record lists those present as Chairman Hansen, Commissioners Connelly and Bowers, County Clerk April Brunski and Commissioner's Secretary Corey Roberts. The meeting adjourned at 5:09 p.m.

The transcript does not provide dollar amounts, vote tallies for the agenda motion, or a timeline for final budget adoption; those details were not specified in the record provided.