Webster County sups approve budget cuts
Will save $740,000 in the general basic fundBy LINDSEY MUTCHLER Messenger staff writer
It's going to be a lean holiday season for county departments as the Webster County Board of Supervisors took action Tuesday to rescind a 1 percent salary increase for county employees.
A 10 percent across-the-board budget cut for all county departments is also in effect, as well as a hiring freeze.
"I think everyone is aware of the situation, and when they have their office meetings they're doing what they need to do," said Supervisor Keith Dencklau. "Everyone in the courthouse is working together and is willing to take a hit."
Dencklau said the county finances are sound; the main concern for the board is the general basic fund's ending balance.
Budgets
The general basic fund is the one causing concern. This budget primarily pays for day-to-day operations of county departments, such as salaries, mileage and office supplies.
This fund is also used when creating budgets. The previous year's ending balance becomes the new fiscal year's beginning balance.
For the last five years, according to records, the ending balance for the general basic fund has been shrinking as expenditures climb higher than revenues. And, the board cannot increase the property tax dollars because they are statutorily limited to $3.50 per $1,000 valuation, according to County Auditor Carol Messerly.
The fiscal year 2010 budget has a beginning balance of $1.6 million. Revenues are projected at $7.4 million and expenditures at $8 million. That leaves a little more than $1 million for the county to operate on for July, August and September.
Cuts
With a 10 percent cut, the supervisors will tack on nearly $740,000 to the ending budget, leaving a little more breathing room as they gear up for the fiscal year 2011 budget which begins July 1.
The budget is due March 15, 2010.
"They're going to see how close they can get because $1.7 million or $1.8 million should be enough to carry them through July, August and September (of 2010)," Messerly said.
All county departments are to turn in their budget amendments to the board by 9 a.m. Thursday.
The cuts are a proactive approach to stem the problem, Messerly said.
Making do
When Webster County Attorney Ricki Osborn heard the news about the 10 percent cuts she thought it was just a rumor.
"I went in and talked to the board, and they confirmed the cuts were going to happen," Osborn said. "So I did get 10 percent of my budget cut, but if they ask for more there's no way I can do it."
Osborn cut $62,328, and said she was lucky in a sense. Because of the turnover in her office she was able to hire two brand-new attorneys at lower salaries than their experienced predecessors. This made her budget cut a little easier.
However, while she isn't losing any employees, Osborn did give up a valuable resource.
"I gave up our legal research," Osborn said. "We're under contract until February, but I'm not renewing."
The computer program makes researching cases easier and less time-consuming Osborn said, and she is not yet sure how that will affect her department come March, but there were few other choices.
"I can't cut salaries," she said. "So the only other thing to do was cut the research, office supplies and mailings, and we're keeping long-distance calls to a minimum."
To make its $245,460 budget cut, the Sheriff's department will not fill three soon-to-be vacant positions: two deputies and a jailer.
"Those individuals left for personal reasons before we knew these cuts were going to happen, but with these budget cuts we can't afford to fill them," said Webster County Sheriff Brian Mickelson.
Among some of the cuts Mickelson made are $10,000 worth of fuel, classes for continuing education, and the office will start 10 furlough days on Friday which will coincide with the state's furlough days.
"This is something we absolutely have to do to meet the 10 percent cuts," Mickelson said. "I think there's probably other entities in the county that are following suit. We'll do everything we can to get by on the bare minimum. We'll manage to plug through."
Board members are expected to take action on the department cuts at their next meeting Dec. 8.
Contact Lindsey Mutchler at (515) 573-2141 or lindsey@messengernews.net
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gummybear
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12-07-09 4:05 PM
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Mickelson, why dont you get honest and admit you pushed these people out? Its so sad to see this in the paper again and again all your lies. The public deservies the truth and you and O'Brion arent being honest with them. And you know what Mickelson I dont think if your mother knew what you really had done to some of these people, she would not be very proud of you!
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taxpayer34
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12-03-09 1:41 PM
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the messenger should look into why webster co. has five supervisors as opposed to other counties of the same population or more have three. wester co. could save some money.
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