County wrapping up 2008 budget process
Posted on Wednesday, October 24, 2007
After hearing all budget requests for 2008, the county is looking at a deficit of more than $ 200, 000 in the general fund.
The Washington County Budget Committee tentatively approved the last round of requests Tuesday from district courts, the prosecuting attorney, public defender, Election Commission, Springdale Emergency Medical Services and Animal Control, leaving the budget with a negative balance of $ 205, 685.
The Election Commission requested $ 492, 605 for 2008. That is a minor increase over the $ 489, 224 requested in 2006, the last election year, commission Chairman John Logan Burrow said.
The main reason for the increase is the addition of an early voting site in Springdale, which will open before the presidential primary election, he said.
The off-site early voting site includes equipment, mileage, truck rental, supplies, computers and staff expenses, for a total extra expense of $ 15, 000.
Justice of the Peace Steve Zega said with 2008 being a presidential election year and all the press indicating there will be high voter turnout, the request seems reasonable.
“ I don’t see a way not to do this, ” he said.
The committee also tentatively approved a request from the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for an additional $ 10, 000 to purchase new computers.
Office Manager Chris Williams said the current computers in the prosecutor’s office are some of the oldest in the county. He said he would like to initiate a five-year plan to replace old computers.
The committee also approved a request for $ 2, 000 from the public defender’s office to replace a computer that is 5 years old.
A total of $ 12, 286 over last year’s budget was approved for the district courts in Fayetteville, Springdale, Prairie Grove, West Fork and Elkins. The county is responsible for 50 percent of the district judge’s salary and the district court clerk’s salary in each city.
Springdale EMS requested an additional $ 2, 280 over last year’s budgeted amount of $ 748, 610, for a total proposed budget of $ 750, 890, representing the county’s 10-percent share of the budget.
Animal Control requested $ 16, 875 over last year’s budgeted amount of $ 75, 225. The county pays $ 75 per animal for shelter services with the Fayetteville Animal Shelter. The increase in the budget represents an increase in the number of animals being brought to the shelter.
If all requests are approved by the full Quorum Court, the total requests from departments in the general fund will amount to $ 700, 000, for a total 2008 budget of $ 8. 38 million in the general fund.
The committee will meet at 4: 45 p. m. Thursday to finalize the budget and discuss a road millage increase to fund bridge replacements.
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