A bi-monthly regularly scheduled Wayne County Board of Commissioners meeting showcased another packed agenda which also highlighted budget discussion.
From the Public Annex, commissioners approved an increase of around $4,000 after reviewing the preliminary tax dollar requests and allocations to seven entities, heard updates from Wayne County Emergency Manager Nic Kemnitz and brought in Jerry Berggren to begin discussion on the addition to the building they were meeting in.
Majority of the conversation saw no action on the addition with Berggren writing several notes on hearing what the board would like to see from the addition to the west of the Public Annex.
Commissioners will pause their initial phase in moving Miller into the EMS office by Dec. 1 until their first meeting in Sept. when Berggren will return with more details.
Among the seven tax dollar requests from Hoskins Rural Fire, Wakefield Rural Fire, Wayne Rural Fire, Winside Rural Fire, Carroll Rural Fire, Wayne Ag Society and Wayne County Library Association, two members from the Wayne County Fair Board were in attendance.
Fair manager Kevin Davis and board president Doug Temme provided an update to the Commissioners and explained further on their same request of $200,000.
Kemnitz then shared several updates including AlloTV making the switch to DirectTV with on Aug. 25, an update on antennas and coax for the tower that has had an issue with a repeater and Wayne County Emergency Management will again be providing their Emergency Operations Center trailer and other equipment for the 2026 Missouri Outdoor Expo in Ponca (Sept. 19-20).
Mike Pommer was in attendance and stated 'it's nice when the budget balances.' With the new valuation showing only about a one percent increase, the Wayne County levy is sitting about $375,000 less than last year and by June 30, 2027, their cash reserves should still show two million dollars as they did this past budget cycle.
Commissioners will hold their Budget Hearing offering a chance for public comment during their first meeting in Sept.
The Wayne County Board of Commissioners will next meet on Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 9 a.m.
Find the complete information in the August 20 edition in The Wayne Herald or subscribe today by clicking here.
