County budget weighs heavy
By VALARIE ALLEN
CNA staff reporter
Union County Board of Supervisors met in special session Friday. Agenda items discussed were the fiscal year 2009-2010 budget and compensation board recommendations.
Budget discussion
During open discussion, Union County resident, Vernon Long addressed the board and others in attendance, voicing his concerns over the inclusion of $500,000 for litigation in a proposed bond levy. Long said he would like to see more transparency of the matters in litigation.
The most substantial amount included in the levy is for infrastructure of secondary roads and bridges.
"I just think that taxpayers have a right to know where their money's being spent," said Long. "I'd like to see a little more transparency in these litigation matters." Long was referring to a county lawsuit against Piper Jaffrey.
Compensation board
The recommendation from the Union County Compensation Board was for a 6 percent pay increase for elected county officials.
Last year, the board of supervisors voted against the compensations board recommendation of raises for elected officials.
During discussion, board members entertained motions for 3/4 of the 6 percent and 2/3, both motions died for a lack of a second. The final motion was 50 percent or 3 percent, which was unanimously approve.
"During these economic times, I can't justify giving 6 percent raises when taxpayers aren't getting them and some are getting their wages cut," said Union County Board of Supervisors Chairman Mike King. "I realize it's been a tough year, and we're not out of the woods yet. I hear people telling me they want the roads and bridges fixed."
Union County Recorder Paula White asked if people were aware elected county officials didn't receive raises last year.
King said they were aware of it, but it was a decision the board has to live with.
Budget cuts
Union County Sheriff Rick Piel submitted a letter to the board addressing his concerns for further budget cuts from his department.
It's his feeling that additional cuts are going to impede his ability to effectively run his department, which includes jail operations.
During the regular board meeting Monday, Piel met with supervisors to entertain the idea of a cost analysis and best practices study of current jail operations.
Cost analysis will give Piel and the supervisors a better understanding of the operation and whether alternative measures would better meet the needs of the county.
Piel told the supervisors the number of inmates varies so there are no hard and fast numbers to look at.
King advised the supervisors have been approached by Clarke County regarding the possibility of housing inmates for a flat fee per day.
"If we can save the county a couple hundred thousand dollars a year, that's going to add up," said King. "I think we need to look into it."
Piel said he didn't see anything wrong with having a cost analysis done.
"My department isn't a revenue generating department," said Piel. "We're here for protection."
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Valarie Allen can be reached at
782-2141, ext. 233 or
vallen@crestonnews.com
