Cape County Commission starts 2012 budget process

Review of the proposed 2012 budget began during Thursday's Cape Girardeau County Commission meeting.

The proposed budget was presented to commissioners by Auditor Pete Frazier.

According to the budget comparison to this year, several of the county's departments and offices, including those of the clerk, auditor, collector, jail, prosecuting attorney, circuit clerk divisions I and II, information technology and the Jackson courthouse, may reduce budgets between $15,000 and $55,000 in 2012. Other departments that could see savings between $3,000 and $8,000 include the offices of the circuit court division III, administration building and recorder of deeds.

Budgets are proposed to go up significantly for the costs of voter registration and elections due to the number of elections that will be held next year. County Clerk Kara Clark Summers said $90,000 of election expenses would be covered by a grant.

General expenses for the county are expected to be around $81,000 less next year.

Departments and offices with budgets that could rise significantly in 2012 include those of sheriff, up $33,000 from 2011 due to the cost of upgrading vehicles, mileage and fuel costs; coroner, up $20,000 from 2011 for the cost of radios and more advanced drug testing; and the county's expenses for emergency preparedness, up $23,000 from 2011 for the cost of training employees.

The commissioners were reviewing line items for each department and will continue to review department budgets and determine needed changes during commission meetings before a vote to approve the budget is taken in January.

Pertinent address:

1 Barton Square, Jackson, MO