Cape Girardeau County finds $350K to cut from 2010 budget

"This is a historic evening," Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones told those who attended. "We very much appreciate all of you being here."

Nearly $350,000 has been cut out of the budget since Thursday, when the commission asked county departments and offices to re-evaluate expenditures to balance the budget.

The first ever evening County Commissioner's meeting was held in front of a full house Monday in Jackson. Presiding over the meeting are administrative assistant Donna Oldman, left, Second District Commisioner Jay Purcell, second from left, Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones, second from right, and First District Commisioner Paul E. Koeper, right. (Laura Simon) [Click to enlarge]

County Auditor David Ludwig said he and other staff met with department heads and officeholders from Thursday afternoon through most of Monday to identify areas that could be cut. Among the budget areas that were re-evaluated were training, building maintenance and new equipment purchases.

Ludwig said his office came up with a conservative budget.

"It was a systematic evaluation of the budgets," Ludwig said. "We didn't hurt anyone. We just touched them a little."

County revenue is expected to be around $10.25 million in 2010, compared to the estimated budget of $11.35 million.

District 2 Commissioner Jay Purcell expressed frustration that the county may dip into its reserves next year to make up the difference.

"County government is going to spend $1.1 million more than they'll bring in," Purcell said. "It's like having someone making $500 a week and then living on $700. The only way to balance the book is for that person to dip into their reserves, and that's what your county government is doing."

District 1 Commissioner Paul Koeper said that spending money in reserve funds may be needed in tough economic times. He said that $5.2 million in an emergency fund and $1.2 million in unencumbered funds -- money left over from last year -- are available for next year.

Koeper added that spending by county offices and departments has decreased from $10.9 million in 2007 to around $10.6 million by the end of this year. Koeper is hopeful that trend will continue in 2010.

"So the sky is not falling in," Koeper said. "I felt like we've done an excellent job of cutting. Yes, we're spending more than we're taking in. But I have all the faith in the world we'll have an increased revenue next year."

At the end of the meeting a few residents spoke during the time for public comments.

Rick Vines of Cape Girardeau asked what would be a determining factor for continuing with nighttime meetings.

Jones said other nighttime meetings will be held Dec. 10, 14 and 17, with additional nighttime meetings scheduled for the first Thursday in January, February and March.

"That's it," Jones said. "We haven't decided anything else at that point."

Vines then asked if the commission would consider having some nighttime meetings on a permanent basis.

"We'll see how this goes," Jones said. "We've had a nice turnout."

bblackwell@semissourian.com

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