Commissioners expected to approve budget
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WAYNESBURG – Greene County commissioners are expected to approve a no-tax increase 2014 general fund budget today.
Final action on the budget is slated for Dec. 12. The public will have an opportunity to view the budget during a 20-day inspection period that will be advertised in the Observer-Reporter and on the county website. It will be available for viewing from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the office of Greene County Chief Clerk Jeff Marshall. The $17.7 million spending packages is $1.95 million more than the one passed for this year. The budget includes the projected impact fee payment of $1.5 million in July, while the 2013 budget contained about $1.1 million from the Act 13 funds.
It is expected that the entire impact fee, except $187,000, will be transferred out of the general fund and placed into the capital projects fund, so the county’s 2014 budget increase from 2013 to 2014 is about $660,000 or 4.2 percent.
Budget increases are due mainly to salaries and benefits. Union increases averaged about 5 percent; management increase were 2 percent plus raises; and the increase in medical coverage costs are expected to be at 2 percent.
However, the county has seen decreases in both utility costs (from equipment upgrades and reductions in county-owned properties), as well in the area of telecommunications as a result of expanding the phone system. Millage will remain at 7.535 with 6.77 mills going to the general fund; 0.695 mills to pay for bond issues; and 0.07 mills going to the library system.
The commissioners also are expected to authorize the third refinancing of a $6 million 1997 bond issue. The county expects to realize a saving of approximately $270,000.
The board also plans to approve $5,000 grants to 16 fire departments in the county and make several appointments to various boards.
At as prison board meeting that followed, Warden Harry D. Gillipsie reported that work on the new kitchen at the jail is “nearly on schedule,” and if there are no unforeseen delays, the project should be completed by the end of the year.
Gillispie also reported that Sgt. Jared Cline was certified on the Karbon Arms Taser by SCI-Greene personnel, and that 137 people have registered on the Emergency Alert System.