FAYETTEVILLE -- The Washington County Judge would spend slightly less taxpayer money next year under plans given preliminary approval Thursday.
The Quorum Court heard requests Thursday for the 2015 budget from County Judge Marilyn Edwards and most of the departments under her direction, including Buildings and Grounds, Environmental Affairs and the Department of Emergency Management. The departments requested about $8.5 million in all, representing roughly one-eighth of the county's spending and a 0.3 percent decrease from this year.
Meeting Info
When: 5:30 p.m. Monday
Where: Quorum Courtroom of the Washington County Courthouse, 280 N. College Ave., Fayetteville
On the Agenda: 2015 Budget Requests for the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and Detention Center
The requests came two days after treasurer Roger Haney forecast a 10 percent dip, or $8 million less, in next year's revenue.
Thursday's vote was the first of a series of meetings to examine each department's request one by one. The Quorum Court will look at the entire budget and what the county can afford at the end of the meetings, likely in November. No proposal was rejected Thursday, but anything approved during the meetings is still up in the air until the final vote.
The picture among the departments was mixed: Some made significant reductions, only to be offset by increases in other departments Edwards said were unavoidable.
"We have asked every department to streamline the budget as much as they could," Edwards told the Quorum Court.
By far the biggest increase came from the emergency 911 system, overseen by the Emergency Management department. John Luther, emergency manager, asked for almost $102,000 more, a 16 percent bump from this year.
The 911 dispatch equipment must be replaced, Luther said, and updates to receive texts and other upgrades simply cost more money.
"This just happens to be the year," he said, adding the dedicated 911 fund has enough money for the increase.
On the other hand, Jean Mack, Juvenile Detention Center director, asked for $100,000 less. Phasing out some unneeded software and teaching programs and a more realistic food budget contributed to the decrease.
The justices of the peace said they were grateful for decreases wherever possible, pointing to Haney's gloomier prediction for next year's revenue.
"I just want to say how much I appreciate all this red ink tonight," said Tom Lundstrum of Elm Springs, referring to the color the county uses to indicate decreases. "I really appreciate the effort everybody's going to."
The panel turns next to the Sheriff's Office's budget, including money to manage the crowded jail. Its budget request is planned for Monday.
The county judge also oversees the Information Technology department, animal shelter and Road Department, but those budgets weren't part of Thursday's meetings. They're scheduled to be reviewed Tuesday.
NW News on 09/12/2014