GF County eyes preliminary 2022 budget plan

Grand Forks homeowners could see a slight reduction in the county portion of their tax bill under preliminary budget numbers.

The proposed 2022 spending plan is $4.4 million dollars higher than the current budget.  It includes a 4.4% increase in pay for all employees – plus a 2% market adjustment and step increases during the year.  The various pay bumps will add $1.2 million dollars to the bottom line.  Health insurance costs will climb between zero and 5%.  Taxpayers will also see the road levy increase from 8.5 mills to an even 10 mills next year.

Finance Director Deb Nelson says when you add it all up the impact to taxpayers will be offset by valuation increases in the county.  “The value of the mill will increase 2.26%.  The citizens of Grand Forks on the portion of the bill related to the county will go down approximately 1.15 mills – and Grand Forks County outside the city will go down .25.”

Budget notices will go out in August.  The county commission has set a budget hearing on September 7th.