Kosciusko County Council on Tuesday delayed making some major decisions on next year's budget.

Council met briefly Tuesday and approved a budget they know is likely $1 million over the frozen levy and agreed to meet again on Sept. 15 to hash out a solution.

Council president James Tranter said council could do little because they lacked updated data following last week's expansive budget sessions.

Figures weren't available because of the short time since final cuts were made Thursday night due in part to the Labor Day holiday. Those preparing the figures also have to make adjustments for a new salary program that could establish a form of merit pay in the future, Tranter said.

The plan calls for employees to receive a 2 percent salary hike and another 1 percent would be left at the discretion of the department heads. The proposal was made by Tranter as a compromise for some departments who were seeking to establish longevity pay for their workers.

The 1998 budget is far beyond the state limit because of a handful of new employee positions preliminarily approved last week. Six of those are for the courts and sheriff's departments.

Tranter said council still has several avenues to choose from to arrive at a budget the state will accept, but he said a hike in the income tax doesn't appear to be in the works and remains a "last resort."

More likely, council will use several tools, he said.

One of those will be the use of funds in the operating balance, which is used to cover expected shortfalls in anticipation of disbursements of revenues from the state.

The operating budget normally has more than $3.2 million and likely contains a cushion upward of $700,000 that could be applied to the 1998 budget.

Council may also seek an appeal from the state that would allow them to collect more property taxes than normally permitted under the frozen levy.

Council will meet again Sept. 15 to finalize the budget that will be sent to the state. Until then, council members will probably review the budget to find additional cuts, Tranter said.

One area that might be scrutinized will be funds set aside for computer expansion. That project, Tranter said, could possibly be delayed a year.

County officials also appear ready to provide a boost in benefits for sheriff's deputies who are apparently among the lowest paid in north central Indiana. The merit board recommended to the county commissioners Tuesday that the existing pension plan be expanded to boost the level of money generated after 20 years of service. [[In-content Ad]]