County budget talks to continue

Discussion

August 1, 2010

From Staff Reports Corsicana Daily Sun The Corsicana Daily Sun Sun Aug 01, 2010, 07:34 PM CDT

Corsicana — The Navarro County Commissioners Court will resume budget talks when it meets starting at 9 a.m. Monday at the Navarro County Courthouse.

Commissioners were briefed Friday on several requests made by county department heads for the 2010-2011 budget.

Commissioners held their second budget workshop Friday, part of the process of developing the spending plan for the coming fiscal year. More adjustments in both revenue and expenses are coming over the next few days, said Kathy Hollomon, county auditor.

Commissioners will continue their budget talks at 9 a.m. Monday, part of a special called commissioners meeting that also includes several regular agenda items.

Early estimates by county officials project revenue of about $16.6 million in the county’s general fund in the new budget year, although that figure is expected to change in the coming days, Hollomon said, including an adjustment in projected ad valorem taxes due to the settlement of a dispute involving a large commercial property.

Projections of general fund expenses are coming in at just over $17 million, including capital requests made by several county departments. No salary increases other than longevity pay have been figured into the expense side of the budget, Hollomon said. More adjustments are anticipated in department expenses as well, she added.

Among some of the requests made in the 2010-2011 budget are salary increases by three of the county’s four constables, a 6.5 percent increase in the county share of the highway patrol, and a 5 percent increase in indigent health care.

Other requests made for the coming year include new vehicles, bullet-proof vests, cameras and computers for the sheriff’s department; and a new road “reclaimer” by Precinct 3 commissioner David “Butch” Warren. Warren said the machine could reduce costs of road materials in maintaining and repairing county roads in the long term.

Another increase facing the county in the coming year is the cost of health insurance, which added about $60 to the cost of each county employee’s insurance every month.

Office holders are expected to appear at upcoming budget sessions to further discuss their needs and department budgets, and address any questions commissioners might have about the spending plans.

Along with Monday’s budget workshop, commissioners will consider several agenda items:

• Formal application for assistance for funding through the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, in regard to flooding event June 9 and 10.

• Consideration of declaring vehicles as surplus for Sheriffs office.

• Consideration of a budget amendment to increase Appraisal District line item.

• Consideration of resolution designating persons authorized to request and sign for funds under Texas Community Development Program Project.

• Resolution to partition and sell property associated with Griffin Industries, the City of Corsicana, and Navarro County.

• Consideration of resolution regarding part time employees, salary, benefits and duties.

Monday’s commissioners meeting will start at 9 a.m. in the basement conference room of the Navarro County Courthouse.

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