(KMZA)-- The Nemaha County, Kansas Commission has approved for publication a proposed 2016 budget of nearly $15 million that calls for a more than 3 mill decrease in the property tax levy.   The Commission took the action during this week’s meeting.

The proposed budget contains an estimated tax rate of 49.654 mills, which is to generate $7 million.

Even though the mill levy will decrease, the county will collect an additional $145,000 in tax revenue over this year due to an increase in the county’s assessed valuation.

The Commission will consider adoption of the budget following a public hearing at their August 24th meeting. 

In other business, a group of landowners met with Commissioners to discuss the replacement of a bridge in Nemaha Township, north of Baileyville.

County Road and Bridge Supervisor Dennis Ronnebaum brought a cost estimate from Husker Steel to replace the bridge for just over  $352,000.  Ronnebaum said that it did not include the cost to remove the old bridge and dirt work necessary.
However, after some discussion it was decided to replace another nearby bridge instead.  Ronnebaum was directed to get a cost estimate for the replacement of the structure.

The Commission opened bids from three dealerships for the purchase of a new mini-van for use by county employees. The Commission accepted a bid from Nemaha Valley Motors, of Seneca, for the purchase of a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan for $25,500.

And Sheriff Rich Vernon informed Commissioners that Investigator Steve Linden will retire September 16th.  Linden has been with the Nemaha County Sheriff’s Department for twenty-five years.