Budget Time….
With the upcoming budget for Cheyenne County, Nebraska we are finding issues in several areas of spending that are giving us some pause. This is one reason everyone needs to take a look and voice their opinion.
The new economic outlook for 2022-2023 is not all that great. There will be a continued contraction of the economy through the 2nd quarter of 2023. We will post a link to the new forecast below.
With the economy continuing to contract at least the next year we don’t find it wise to spend 38% more this year in our county budget. As you can see it is going from 13.2 million to 18.9 million. Property valuations go up 4% Property Taxes go up.
There are salary increases in the new budget as well
17% increase for the County Commissioners. 16% for some others and smaller increases of 5% or less for clerks etc. We are not against salary increases but find 17% a bit much.
Everyone should take a look at the new budget. Our county is putting additional strain on our residents and local businesses.
Here is a quote from the article you should also read….
“The weakening economic growth seen over the course of 2022 coupled with persistently high inflation readings are consistent with a stagflationary environment. While easing supply-side constraints and a more hawkish monetary policy will help to cool inflation over the coming quarters, rising interest rates will tip the US economy into a broad-based recession before year-end. “
Now is not the time for our county to increase spending this much. If we don’t stop some of this spending more people will be leaving this county.