BOARD OKs $3.1 MILLION BUDGET

BENTON -- Most people know that there's usually more month at the end of the money, but Scott County officials learned it first-hand when they completed the 1996 budget.

The county ended 1995 with $812,000 in its cash reserves but 1996 estimates show only $250,000 will be left at the end of 1996.

"We depend on the officers not spending over the amount budgeted," said Presiding Commissioner Bob Kielhofner. "We have nothing stashed away. What you see is it."

On Tuesday, the commission approved a $3.19 million budget for the county. It is an increase of about $500,000 over last year's expenses. The 1995 budget was estimated at $2.69 million but the county actually spent $2.41 million.

Kielhofner hopes other county officials will spend conservatively this year to build up a reserve fund. In 1995, county offices spent about 95 percent of the budgeted amount for the year.

"Not everybody in the lineup bats 300," Kielhofner said. "Some spend 80, others 75 and some 102."

But County Clerk Rita Milam, who acts as the county budget officer, would prefer everyone to stay at 85 percent when spending county monies.

"Just because it's there, doesn't mean you have to spend it," she said to the representatives from three county offices who attended a public hearing Tuesday morning.

Kielhofner would like more county officials to ask for bids when making purchases.

"It's the best way to establish confidence," he said, adding that it provides good public relations within the county.

Milam said she's learned to save the county money by asking for bids on almost everything.

"If you get bids, it's going to save you $5 to $10 easily," she said, adding that local stores will often match prices from larger companies. "And saving a few pennies is worth staying in Scott County."

The county increased its general revenue funds by about $500,000 for 1996.

The increase was due primarily to salary raises for county employees. Other expenses came from hiring a new deputy at the sheriff's office and upgrading the courthouse to meet handicap accessibility standards.

About one-third of the elected officials asked for employee raises this year, said Associate Commissioner Walter Bizzell.

"Happy employees work better," Kielhofner said, adding that the raises helped make the salary schedule more consistent.

Scott County Sheriff Bill Ferrell hopes that by increasing salaries among his deputies, it also will boost morale.

"The changes try to bring the salaries at the jail up to comparable levels with other agencies our size," he said. The average starting salary for a deputy is $22,000.