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--Ray Benning, Editor
--Marlo Benning, Co-Editor
--Karin L. Nauber, Reporter

NEWS
Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Todd County Board of Commissioners
Hear from three departments
By Karin L. Nauber

 

Salaries and insurance are what are going to make the 2009 budgets skyrocket.

The board heard from three departments on Thursday, March 20: solid waste, court administration and emergency management.

Solid Waste Director Tim Cadwallader gave his preliminary thoughts and expectations for his department first.

He felt his budget would remain fairly stable with the exception of the purchase of a skid steer and some garbage containers. He said he has been buying a new skid steer every year because there is limited maintenance costs when they rotate the two they use.

They also get two new garbage containers annually.
He said they do not need a new compactor at this time, but that they should be thinking about it for 2010. The cost for a new compactor is between $30,000 and $40,000.

Outside of these things, Cadwallader said he really has no changes in his budget except for salaries and insurance.

In other solid waste business, Cadwallader said the contract with Bongards for steam production looks pretty good. The joint powers draft has been written.

Cadwallader said there is 32 acres for sale near the demo landfill that should be considered for purchase by the board. He said it would give more buffer around the landfill. The solid waste enterprise fund could be used for this.

Last year, said Cadwallader, he didnít meet his revenue projections, but also only spent 90% of his budget. He said he had projected $70,000 for the enterprise fund, but only was able to put in about $35,000. He said the shortfall was because they didnít have the demo business last year.

He felt he would stay in the range of his projected budget for 2008.

Tammie Chapin, court administrator, was next to go over her budget.

Her largest concern was for the conflict cases, sexually dangerous person commitments and appeals.

She said that they currently have a SDP case.

Her budget for the public defenders is $27,000. The set amount for the majority of the cases per contract is $16,500. She said she already has a bill for $5000 for an SDP case.

She expects that her first quarter will already show a deficit of $500. Because the public defender fees are paid out at $1375 a month the deficit wonít show up right away.

The final department head to meet with the board was Bob Blessing for the emergency management department.

Blessing said that he has been able to get grants for much of what he gets for his department and said that he didnít anticipate any purchases over $500 that he wouldnít be able to get with a grant.

The only thing he anticipates going up in his budget is salaries and insurance.

He is doing a cost analysis on his current vehicle which he leases to see if it would be more feasible to buy it or continue to lease it.

Comment on this Article

 




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