The Atchison County Commission held its meeting on September 17, 2024, where significant adjustments were made to the county's budget for 2025. This year, the commission faced great pressure from residents to lower the mill levy, which translates directly to property taxes. The commission's efforts yielded some success, managing to decrease the levy from 56.947 to 54.740.
One of the key changes made was the decision to eliminate the position of assistant chief for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Rescue, which carried compensation and benefits amounting to nearly $100,000. This adjustment was informed by the county's rising emergency call volume, which has already exceeded calls recorded back in 2017. Chief of Emergency Services, Corey Scott, expressed concern about the growing demands on their services. “We might run short,” he stated, hinting at the challenges presented by managing increased call numbers as the population ages.
Further financial cuts were seen as Chairwoman Casey Quinn opted to forgo her own compensation of $20,000 for the year. Quinn emphasized her commitment to servant leadership and felt this was necessary amid the county's budgetary constraints. “I think we’re in such a pickle,” she stated, reflecting on the financial pressures facing the county.
Meanwhile, as the year winds down, the discussion around budget planning and management continues to resonate beyond local government. Budget season has become synonymous with planning, strategy, and adaptation across various sectors, particularly within the hospitality industry, as highlighted by recent insights shared by Lindsey Goedeker, the senior vice president of sales at Actabl.
Lindsey emphasized the importance of integrating business intelligence with financial and operational objectives during budget preparation. “Budget season presents an opportunity to move from building an understand to fostering evolution,” Goedeker remarked, underscoring the necessity of adapting to market challenges.
One main roadblock companies face is the consolidation and normalization of performance data. Goedeker pointed out, "Without proper data, you risk losing team buy-in which can lead to retention issues.” This resonates with numerous sectors, including hospitality, where transparency and adaptability play pivotal roles during planning phases.
Looking at projections for 2025, hotel industries anticipate challenges as growth rates for revenue may fall short of operational costs. Specifically, revenue per available room, or RevPAR, is forecasted to increase slightly by 2.6%, yet Real RevPAR is expected to decrease by 6.0% compared to figures observed back in 2019. This important metric highlights the increasingly pressured margins within the industry, prompting hoteliers to critically evaluate their expense structures.
Automated systems and real-time data tracking can benefit organizations significantly, not only streamlining budget processes but also contributing to labor efficiencies. The ability to accurately assess staffing needs against fiscal constraints is invaluable when operational demands are on the rise. With the current labor market being tight, optimizing staffing without overextending resources is necessary for maintaining service quality.
Aside from hotel management challenges, there is also relating news from Ireland as the Finance Minister, Jack Chambers, is set to present the Budget 2025 shortly. This budget is expected to include significant measures concerning tax cuts and spending packages amounting to €8.3 billion, reflecting the government's commitment to address rising costs of living.
Chambers hinted at three pivotal taxation approaches: incrementing the level where higher tax rates kick in, enhancing income tax credits, and reducing the Universal Social Charge (USC). The government is considering adjustments to strive for broader support for households facing economic pressure.
On the welfare front, there are proposed increases targeting specific demographics, particularly pensioners and the disabled, to address their unique needs. Ideas include a one-off child benefit payment to new parents as well as extending fuel allowances to those over the age of 66, which currently applies to those 70 and up.
All of these developments underline the importance of thoughtful and strategic budget planning—be it at the county commission level or within the broader economic framework of nations. The emphasis is increasingly on ensuring fiscal responsibility, enhancing equity, and striving to meet the pressing demands of constituents and consumers alike.
