COUNTY COMMISSION ADOPTS '92 BUDGET

JACKSON - Members of the Cape Girardeau County Commission Monday approved a 1992 budget that allocates almost $5.6 million for general revenue, $1.7 million for roads and bridges, and provides a capital trust account balance of $2.6 million.

Presiding Commissioner Gene Huckstep, the budget officer for Cape County, praised the cooperation the commission had received from elected officials and department heads to keep costs in line amid a period of declining revenue and economic uncertainty.

"In county government, we are close to and can expect to be held accountable by the people," said Huckstep in his annual budget message. "This, I firmly believe, is our main strength. This closeness means responsiveness, a natural disciplining mechanism that should force us to keep a close eye on expenses, and, like every prudent family, live within our budget."

Huckstep said Cape County remains in sound financial condition but warned that situation could change dramatically if officials did not keep a close watch on expenditures.

"It is very apparent that the heads of various departments and elected officials have been good stewards of the taxpayers' money," said Huckstep.

He said sales tax revenue for 1991, which had been increasing at least 4 percent a year, had shown only a two-tenths of a percent increase last year. In 1990, Huckstep pointed out, revenue from fees increased 11.3 percent, but in 1991 the increase was just 6.2 percent from fees.

Overall for 1991, Huckstep said he doubted that revenue increased enough to cover even the meager 2.9 percent increase proposed for the general fund budget for this year.

"I am not trying to be an alarmist without reason," said Huckstep. "I am trying to caution that we cannot continue absorbing large increases in expenses every year when our income grows modestly, if at all. Our hope is to save us from a bitter day of reckoning."

Just minutes before Huckstep delivered his budget message, the commission received the first indication that 1992 could be a slow year. The January sales tax check arrived, reflecting an increase of just eight-tenths of a percent over last year.

Huckstep admitted that in preparing this year's budget, county officials were fearful of what the future would bring and would remain cautious until there were clear indications the economy was rebounding.

Even with the close scrutiny of the budget and expenditures, Huckstep said, "There is no department within this county that will suffer during 1992 in any way, shape, or form."

As in the last three years, Huckstep took issue with the growing costs of operating the criminal justice system in the county during his budget message. However, his remarks were tempered from previous years.

"With income showing a small increase, our greatest concern in the expenses, as it has been the last three or more years, is the accelerating increase in expenses to operate the criminal justice system," said Huckstep.

"All of us must cooperate more closely to bring the ever-increasing costs in the criminal justice system down to a more affordable level."

But even with the revenue concerns, Huckstep said he anticipates being able to maintain the zero property tax levy for general revenue.

In 1991, Cape County spent about 92 percent of its general revenue budget, which Huckstep said is about normal.

The $1.7 billion road and bridge budget reflects a shortfall of about $200,000 in revenue, which is being made up from a transfer through the capital trust account.

Even with the transfer, Huckstep said the capital account would still have to fund many major equipment purchases and about $150,000 as its share of a new bridge at Whitewater.

"There was about a $200,000 decrease in cash available from Jan. 1, 1991 to Jan. 1, 1992," said Huckstep. "Most of this was due to increased prices of fuel, repairs, road material, insurance and other expenses.

"Under the supervision of Commissioner Leonard Sander, this department will continue to keep equipment in good working order by replacing or repairing; we may build two or three small bridges ourselves; continue the road sealing program; and hope to build the major structure at Whitewater."

Huckstep said that county buildings and park facilities, supervised by Associate Commissioner E.C. Younghouse, are well maintained and will be improved as needed during the coming year.

Huckstep said the capital account could be used to fund major bridges, improvements to the juvenile detention center, and an addition to the jail to include additional space for women prisoners.

The presiding commissioner said the capital account will continue to be used for major expenditures and emergencies, not for day-to-day operations.

"Our goal is still that of improving and protecting this account so we will be able to fund emergencies as they occur and still avoid the use of property tax in the future," said Huckstep.