New position added to 2005 county budget years ago
A fund with $50,000 will be in the 2005 budget for a new county position of economic development professional, counselor, or manager. Marion County Commission made the decision Monday when the 2005 budget was finalized.
Scot Loyd, county auditor with Swindoll, Janzen, Hawk, and Loyd, researched the possibility of a new fund for the position but determined it was not feasible due to time constraints.
Loyd suggested a line item be established in the general fund with county clerk Carol Maggard "tracking the account on a separate sheet."
Commission chairman Leroy Wetta said he would like more funds be used for roads.
The county's risk management fund has a balance of $400,000 for landfill closure expenses. An additional $130,000 was budgeted for 2005.
"Can $50,000 be used from the fund (for roads)?" Wetta asked.
Commissioner Bob Hein said he was concerned about "cutting it too short." Preliminary estimates indicate closure may cost less than the amount allocated for the process. The commission agreed it would be best to leave the fund as it is.
Loyd said some additional funds were available due to changes in department budgets and noted the sheriff's department budget was less than a previous proposal because no additional jail personnel were needed.
Sales tax revenues were adjusted to reflect the steady increase, Loyd said.
Maggard indicated to the commission that 80 percent of sales tax revenue was distributed in the budget for roads.
The park (Marion County Park and Lake) fund was increased to cover an increase in solid waste removal fees.
The amount in the special road and bridge fund was adjusted from $187,000 to $200,000.
Following discussion regarding more roads being repaired and resealed, Wetta asked that additional funds be used for road projects.
"We're doubling the amount of roads from 2003 to 2004," Collett said. "We can't do any better than doubling."
Loyd said once county road bonds were paid, the full transferred amount could be used for roads.
Corrections and additions will be completed and the budget published in this week's official county newspapers.
The county budget hearing will be 9 a.m. Aug. 23 in the courthouse.
