HUTCHINSON, Kan. – During the County Commission meeting Tuesday, they went over budget numbers where they are considering a one-mill increase next year.

This would be the second year in a row the county is looking at an increase, in part because of revenues being down. They want to make sure their fund balance stays the same, especially considering legislation that puts a limit on how much city and county governments can raise money above the state mandated inflation rate.

The mill levy is currently at 40.897 mills and with the one mill increase would up it to 41.897 mills. That equals about $564,616 in dollars for each mill.

The county raised the mill levy last year in part to fund infrastructure projects, including bridges and some county roads.

As far as the regular agenda items, they tabled the request for the Sheriff’s Department to purchase two 2016 Ford Utility Police Interceptor SUV’s, but approved the other items including renewing a contract with Canon for the lease and maintenance of 35 copiers for 60 months.

They will also took final action the IdeaTek facility proposal on North Plum, which technically was approved last week, but approved all the final details.

And they had a discussion item over an agreement with BNSF Railroad, the county and KDOT for construction and maintenance of highway crossing signals at Woodberry Road Mile 20, directly south of US Highway 50. But, they went ahead and approved the item this week.

The county also had visitors including Ulster Project kids where they read a proclamation declaring this month as “Ulster Project” month.

And representatives from 4-H were there to invite the commission to the 4-H fair coming up this month.