Commission Discusses Budget

The Jasper County Commission continued work on the budget at a work session Monday evening.

After reviewing work done by County Manager Mike Benton to cut some of the requests, commissioners agreed they would continue to work toward a budget that would result in a tax rate of 16 mills. Mr. Benton presented several scenarios, all of which used some fund balance, and commissioners agreed they did not want to use too much fund balance.

They asked Mr. Benton to make some more cuts, and to come back with a recommendation Wednesday, May 18, for that work session. They also said they would meet next Monday, May 23, to hopefully adopt the tentative budget. If it is not ready then, they will meet again on Thursday, May 26. The commissioners are striving to meet the timeline that has tax bills out on time, and to do that they need to have a budget ready by May 30.

Sheriff Donnie Pope is under budget for 2016, but is asking for a slight increase in 2017. However, Sheriff Pope explained he had a vacant position, and two people out. He said those positions need to be funded, as to be at full force, he would have those three positions filled.

Much discussion centered around the purchase of four cars. Mr. Benton suggested the cars could be bought outright with the funds left in his budget, since the county already has a healthy fund balance, and the money was budgeted for his department. The commissioners began three years ago trying to purchase four cars a year for the sheriff’s office, and this would be additional cars.

Commissioner Doug Luke was adamant that the commissioners need to put on their “taxpayer’s hat” rather than their “commissioner’s hat” and make the difficult cuts. Further he suggested the commissioners have an informative meeting to let the taxpayers know why the budget has increased. He said taxpayers need to get a picture of what the commissioners deal with.

Commission Chairman Gene Trammell said that’s why they elected you, they trust you to do what’s right.

Commissioner Luke said we have to do all we can do; people are hurting.

Before they concluded the meeting, Mr. Benton asked for clarification on some issues, such as he figured in cost-of-living increases for most employees. Should he keep them in, he asked. Several employees have not had raises in eight years, he said. Commissioner Luke reminded the others that although they have not had a raise, the employees are no longer taking furlough days which effectively decreased their paychecks. After a brief discussion, commissioners agreed to keep the raises in, at least until their next work session.