County approves $184 million preliminary budget
By Neal A. Shipman
Farmer Editor
McKenzie County Commissioners approved a 2020 preliminary budget of $184,364,678 during its Aug. 6 board meeting. The proposed budget is an increase of $40 million from last year’s approved final budget of $144,172,960.
While the preliminary budget increase is significant, Erica Johnsrud, McKenzie County auditor/treasurer, says that the bulk of the increase is attributed to five projects.
“We’ve budgeted $30 million for the fairgrounds relocation project, as well as $3 million for the construction of a new daycare facility,” states Johnsrud.
In addition, Johnsrud says the preliminary budget includes $2.6 million for a rural water project to serve the Squaw Gap area in southwestern McKenzie County, $500,000 for a new museum at the McKenzie County Heritage Park, as well as a dredging project at the Tobacco Garden Recreation Area.
Johnsrud says that the preliminary budget also includes 17 new positions within the county, as well as the purchase of a new K9 for the sheriff’s office.
But one of the biggest increases, which is reflected in each of the department’s budgets is a proposed 31 percent (or $6.2 million) increase in salaries and benefits for county employees.
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