Budget plan OK’d for publication

A 2007 budget proposal calling for a mill levy that will essentially stay the same as last year’s was given approval for publication Wednesday night.

Some final tweaking of the budget is still needed, but a levy of 38.138 mills or slightly lower is expected. A couple of joint funding projects the county shares with the City of Lawrence are still to be decided as the city continues with its budget discussions.

During Wednesday’s meeting, commissioners agreed to a 3 percent cost of living increase for county employees.

A public hearing on the budget was set for the Aug. 16 commission meeting, which will start at 6:35 p.m.

Whether an individual’s property tax will go up or down will depend on what the levies of school districts and municipal budgets require as well as the county.

In another matter, commissioners tabled a decision on whether to accept a replatting as approved by the Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission.

Several people complained about the Planning Commission’s decision to allow the replatting of the Quantrill Acres Subdivision Welcome Park. The park is on private property owned by John Stevens east of Pleasant Grove at the southwest corner of North 800 Road and East 1485 Road. The replatting is a requirement in order to allow residential development on the property.

The park was originally established under a previous owner and maintained by Stevens for the past 12 years.

County commissioners said they wanted the county counselor to review the matter and for the property to be checked for proper access and to make sure it is in compliance with home occupational rules.