County Council Looking To Make More Cuts In 2021 Budget Or Find More Money
Posted
Teresa Carrano-
County council members held two short meetings prior to the regular September meeting Thursday night.
They first heard from Solid Waste Director Tom Ganser regarding the district’s 2021 budget, which totals $819,808. The council approved the budget as long as payroll increases are up to 1%, not the 5% hike included in this initial hearing.
The council then moved on to the county public budget hearing. County Auditor Michelle Puckett noted that the total general fund budget for 2021 is $27,009,523 with revenues of $20,399,640, leaving a $7 million gap.
Council President Jon Garber recommended Council members Sue Ann Mitchell, Ernie Wiggins and Joni Truex form a committee to either make more cuts or find more money. The three council members agreed to sitting on that committee with Wiggins recommending a special meeting to discuss their findings Thursday, Oct. 1 at 6 p.m., which was approved.
Puckett noted that the budget will be finalized at the Oct. 8 council meeting.
Several 2020 budget reduction ordinances were approved, as follows:
County general – $415,195
Community corrections – $14,700
Health department – $6,183
Highway department – $4,605
Superior courts II and III, pauper council – $40,000 and for mediation fees $3,000
Surveyor – $1,500
Assessor reassessment –$40,928
Probation – $8,599
Auditor – $3,500.
Shane Bucher, chief deputy of the sheriff’s office, received permission to accept the Stop Arm Violation Enforcement grant of $10,000. Bucher said the funds will be used for overtime pay for officers patrolling school bus routes.
Steve Moriarty, highway department superintendent, asked for additional appropriations for bridge inspections totaling $275,500; bridge work on bridge #30 – $1,896,200; bridge #161 – $1,361,100; and bridge #227 – $1,081,875, which was approved.
Moriarty noted that the figures provided represent the total estimated costs, however, the state will pay for 80% of any listed project over the next several years.
The council approved an employment form for each department head to fill out when a position has been vacated or created for the wage committee to review prior to making hiring decisions, as recommended by human resources director Cathy Reed.
Commissioner Cary Groninger presented a resolution declaring interest in two acres of land north of Dewart Lake as the future site of the northern-most communications tower, which was approved.
He also requested a transfer of $150,000 from the commissioners land and improvements fund to the commissioners repair and maintenance fund, which was approved.
Assessor Susan Engelberth asked the council for a department vehicle, citing the many site trips staff members make each year, which the council took under advisement.
Julie Dijkstra was reappointed to the Nappanee Library Board as the council’s representative for another four-year term. Her current term ends Oct. 1.
The council also accepted declarations of fiscal body from the North Webster, Milford and Syracuse-Turkey Creek public libraries.
