07/13/2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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SE–KC UPERVISOR OF LECTIONS AY LEM County Administrator Baird announced the proposed budget is $1,235,870, a $172,506 increase. Supervisor of Elections Kay Clem recalled that her office was slammed with unfunded mandates from the Legislature. She advised of several expenditures and reimbursements through the past year. She specified that the Legislature would be reimbursing $240,000 for part of the cost for the touch screen voting equipment. She advised that she is required to purchase additional voting machines to comply with State requirements. Commissioner Bowden commented on Mrs. Clem’s friendly, willing to help, and knowledgeable staff. Mrs. Clem was very proud of her staff. S–RR HERIFF OY AYMOND County Administrator Baird announced the proposed Sheriff’s budget as $37,711,676, a $4,286,964 increase over last year, most of which is attributable to the new jail opening and 70 new, mostly jail-related, employees. Sheriff Roy Raymond read a prepared statement to highlight the uniqueness of his office and the anticipated changes and expenses in the coming fiscal year. He stressed that the jail has been stretched to the limit and that the Sheriff’s office and jail operate 24-hours per day. Increase in population has added to patrolling costs and the larger jail means substantial increases in his budget, as well as higher gasoline costs. He gave information on the costs of hiring new officers and compared our pay rates with those of nearby counties’. Sheriff Raymond responded to questions from Commissioner Wheeler concerning overtime, off-duty jobs, and hiring new corrections officers. Frank Coffey found difficulty in following the Sheriff’s budget and questioned several points including merit increases, projected overtime budget, hospital costs, and suggested there is a need to look at reducing expenditures. July 13, 2005 15