WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
The millage amount to be levied for St. Joseph County’s 911 Central Dispatch service in 2013 will be half a mill, one-quarter of a mill less than what voters authorized in August.
Millage amounts to levy next year for four county agencies were set Tuesday by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. While the county’s roads, transportation and commission on aging millages will be levied at or close to what voters approved, the central dispatch levy was OK’d at half a mill because the agency has a strong fund balance.
John Uribe, director of the county’s central dispatch, told commissioners the agency’s $1.3 million annual budget is adequate and based on short- and long-term needs, levying the full three-quarters of a mill is not necessary for 2013.
The result will be a miniscule savings for St. Joseph County taxpayers.
County Administrator Judy West-Wing said central dispatch has a fund balance in excess of $1 million. Half a mill is equivalent to about $927,000, West-Wing said.
At the request of executive director Lynn Coursey, the St. Joseph County Commission on Aging will levy its full three-quarters of a mill next year.
