County halts end-of-year transfers
Usually the last few county commission meetings of the year consist of department heads asking commissioners' permission to take money their departments haven't spent for certain budgeted projects and move it into the new budget year.
Usually, most county commissions listen to the requests and quickly comply.
Then again, nothing about this year has been usual, at least when it comes to finances.
Faced with its portion of a $48 million budget cut from the state, Marion County Commissioners last week questioned every request by department heads regarding revenue they would like to "encumber" or hold over for the 2003 budget year to complete specific projects.
If funds are not encumbered they go back to the general fund for use wherever the commission sees fit.
David Brazil, wearing his planning and zoning hat, told commissioners that department had planned to spend money updating the comprehensive plan and zoning regulations. That was not done, and the money was not spent.
However, Brazil said he would like to see those projects completed in 2003, and asked that the money be transferred. Brazil said it would take between $1,000 and $2,000 to finish the comprehensive plan and approximately $10,000 to completely update zoning regulations.
"I don't want David to be out of funds for the comprehensive plan and zoning, but if those funds are not encumbered they will go back to the general fund," explained Commissioner Leroy Wetta.
"And there they could be used to possibly offset any other shortage we might have due to a lack of income," Wetta continued.
County Clerk Carol Maggard told commissioners there was some good news from the state: The county's portion of the $48 million cut to cities and counties would only be about half the amount originally anticipated.
"This original hit will be about $174,000," Maggard said.
"It's still bad," replied Commission Chairman Bob Hein.
Wetta asked Maggard if it would be possible to set up a fund that would track money which was put back into the general fund should commissioners decide not to encumber specific department funds.
"Some way we could know where it came from and know where it would be applied later so we're not stealing from their departments," Wetta said.
"I could do it with a paper trail," Maggard said.
"We don't want to penalize any department, but we want to keep our options open," Wetta added.
"We've approved expenditures for the things he (Brazil) needs," said Commissioner Howard Collett. "I'd like to have the option to use (Brazil's) money elsewhere if he doesn't need it."
Maggard told commissioners if they don't encumber the funds, the money rolls over to cash.
"It decreases your control over them," she said.
Collett noted that commissioners must approve major expenditures and Brazil could not spend the money without the commission's nod.
"We can encumber it," Collett said.
"No," replied Wetta. "I want it in the general fund. If he's not going to use it, it's available (for other uses)."
Later in the meeting, Dale Snelling, Marion County Lake superintendent, asked to encumber funds to purchase fish, pay for printing permits and brochures, and buy an industrial mower.
Commissioners decided they would address the topic of encumbrances during the end-of-year meeting Dec. 31.
In other matters, the commission:
— Met in executive session with Brazil regarding transfer station personnel. Following the five minute executive session, commissioners voted 3-0 to permanently designate Brazil transfer station manager with an additional $10,000 a year added to his salary. Commissioners said they understood the additional duties would increase Brazil's work week to 40-plus hours, and told him to set his schedule as needed to accomplish the job.
In other transfer station business, Brazil said Darrell Brewer had taken the equipment operator position. The commission voted to hire Linda Johnson as equipment operator/environmental assistant.
— Heard Glen Unrow and Irvin Ediger had accepted re-appointment to the county's planning and zoning board.
— Heard a presentation from Lloyd Davies with Great Plains Computers & Networking. Davies said county department heads were told to initiate an Internet presence in the form of an interactive website for Marion County.
The proposal included upgrading the county's line to the Internet, an e-mail server, the website itself, network infrastructure issues, and RVI (real vision imaging).
Among the components, the new proposal would allow county departments to post forms on the website, allowing taxpayers the opportunity to download forms and fill them out before making the journey to the courthouse.
Commissioners said they would discuss the issue again during the Tuesday meeting.
— Commission approved a contract with Kevin Robinson of Robinson Trucking, Florence, to serve as contract hauler for the transfer station. The wording change allows the county to change to an agreeable alternate landfill.
— Heard from Sheriff Lee Becker about a cattle problem, and the use of an ATV (all terrain vehicle) at Marion County Lake to read meters. The commission then adjourned to a 20-minute executive session with Becker for the purpose of personnel. Returning to regular session, no action was taken.
— Determined that Commissioner Collett will serve on an advisory steering committee for the Phase 2 Water Quality grant.
— Authorized the county health department to purchase a piece of equipment used for hearing screenings given in schools. Since the health department contracts to give these screenings, the commission approved the $3,294 expenditure.
