FAYETTEVILLE — Washington County's departments stayed within their $60 million budget for 2013, but Quorum Court members said Tuesday evening they want tighter control of how budgets are spent.

Comptroller Cheryl Bolinger, who oversees the multitude of budgets and funds, gave the Finance Committee her report of 2013's spending. Several bills from last year had been unpaid until last month, delaying her report.

Overall, the county's technology, law enforcement, road and other funds were within limits, Bolinger said. But she also reported several specific line items that went over their budgets, prompting consternation from the justices of the peace.

Money spent on Washington County Detention Center inmates' food and medical care, for example, flew $203,000 over what was set aside. Jail officials pin the blame on overcrowding. Certain information technology costs were also about $13,500 above what was set in the budget.

Budgets can still break even despite over-budget line items, however, when some line items come in below budget. The Road Department could spend more than planned on fuel, for example, but spend less on salt to make up the difference.

Essentially, Bolinger said afterward, the court budgeted enough for needs but didn't balance that money correctly among all of the line items.

Still, the panel said the excess spending bothered them, saying it seemed like departments were ignoring directions.

"If we budget money, it seems like that's it," said Eva Madison of District 9 in Fayetteville. "I guess I'm troubled somebody goes over budget and it's just our mess to clean up."

The Information Technology line items, which have often been the subject of dispute on the court, drew most of the attention. Bolinger explained IT spent more than planned because other departments, such as the assessor and circuit court clerks, bought printers or other technology.

That technology had to be supported by IT, which didn't know the extra work was coming.

"This does not strike me as right," said Candy Clark, finance chairwoman, referring to some departments' activities costing other departments more money without warning. "That's a very dangerous precedent, ladies and gentlemen."

Several other justices agreed, saying the court was meant to control the line items.

"If we approve something, it'd better be done that way," said Rex Bailey of District 6.

Barbera Fitzpatrick and Butch Pond disagreed somewhat.

"If he stays under his budget -- that's what he said he needed -- I'm OK with that," said Fitzpatrick, District 8, referring to a department head. "I just want to tell them how much money to spend and let them figure it out."

Rick Cochran of District 7, west of Farmington, suggested a report for departments to fill out before they buy anything that could impact IT, a suggestion other justices supported. Clark said the entire issue would be discussed more at next month's finance meeting.

NW News on 03/12/2014