The Callaway County Commission will hold a public hearing Dec. 23 to consider adopting the proposed 2020 county budget.
Eastern District Commissioner Randy Kleindienst said the budget was not yet finalized as of Thursday evening. He said all of the involved entities have been working hard looking at their own budgets and making sure that everything comes into balance.
"Thanks to the diligence of the elected officials in Callaway County, we are sitting in a position where we think we'll be able to give raises to all of the employees and to be able to function on the good side of the line," Kleindienst said.
Kleindienst said most of the 2020 budgets in the county, other than employee payroll, will remain close to the same. He said, in his seven years in office, the county government has aimed to raise employee salaries.
"It's a work in progress but it's been happening slowly but surely," Kleindienst said.
The commissioners have been working closely alongside Callaway County Auditor Karen Rentschler to get the budget finalized. Kleindienst said the commission is close to reaching the finalized portion of the proposed budget, but there are a variety of numbers to review with the auditor.
"It's hard to say if it's final as of now. The last few things just involve crossing a few more T's and dotting a few more I's," Kleindienst said. "We're very grateful to have (Rentschler) as our county auditor."
The public hearing will take place at 10 a.m. in the County Commissioner's Office at the Callaway County Courthouse. Public comment and questions will be heard at the meeting as well. According to the commission, the proposed budget is available for public inspection at the Callaway County Commissioner's Office.
The County Commission will also be holding its 2019 county budget adjustment meeting at 10 a.m. Tuesday in the County Commissioner's Office. Kleindienst said this is a standard annual meeting to ensure funds were utilized throughout each department.