After two mornings of hearings, Auditor Beth Innis and the county commission is to now review the overall budget and determine what cuts, if any, are needed to balance things.
Williams County Sheriff Scott Busching started Thursday’s conversation with a budget Busching estimated at $1,274,991 in 2010, up slightly from $1,226,960 this year.
Busching said his budget is very similar to 2009, with a few increases that are for the most part out of his control. He cited health insurance as the major increase in his budget, which he said is a problem with most every department.
Busching mentioned a slight increase for vehicles and new equipment from $47,000 to $49,000. “We plan on changing out two vehicles this year, it’s time to trade them in,” said Busching.
As for the correctional center, Busching had a proposed budget of $813,031, up from $755,539 in 2009. Busching noted the increase was again due to health insurance rates, as well as more money budgeted for prisoner room and board.
Busching said since the new law enforcement center opened, its had a 25 percent increase in the average number of people incarcerated.
“It’s turned out to be a kind of ‘if you build it, they will come’ thing,” said Busching.
Busching also talked briefly about efforts to hire another deputy.
George Pederson, head of the county’s building management, proposed a budget of $591,257, up from $341,185 for 2009.
He said much of this is due to salaries, health insurance, contracting fees and increases for electricity and gas.
He said utility bills were under-budgeted in 2009, mainly because they weren’t sure how much to budget for the new law enforcement center last year.
Youth Assessment Center Administrator Marsha Hughes estimated revenues for 2010 at $227,950, up from $145,650 in 2009. Estimated expenses are up to $280,056 from $270,955.
The main expenses were explained to be in health insurance and conference training. She added the center is working to get two more detention beds up and running.
Meanwhile, building inspector Richard Ryan outlined a proposed budget of $58,085, which is down from $92,452. Ryan said the decrease is due to less staff.
“Last year, there was so much activity there seemed no end in sight and we had a full-time clerical position filled,” said Ryan.
Human Resources Administrator Helen Askim described a slightly reduced budget of $89,351, down from $96,962. The main decrease is from eliminating a clerk position. Slight increases to advertising fees, contractual services and supplies were among the few increases.
Other department budgets also discussed were those of the State’s Attorney’s office, Vector Control, Tax Equalization, and the Victim Advocate Program.
A tentative date for further budget discussions wasn’t set as of Thursday, but were likely to take place in early September.
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