Scott County commission likely to vote on 2010 budget Tuesday

BENTON, Mo. -- Scott County commissioners are working on the final numbers in crafting the 2010 budget prior to a public hearing set for Tuesday.

"We're trying to get everything somewhat wrapped up," said Presiding Commissioner Jamie Burger during Thursday's meeting. He noted that while county business doesn't really slow down during budget time, everything is put on hold for a bit.

"Right now, we're processing all the numbers," said Burger.

Commissioner Dennis Ziegenhorn said that while department heads have turned in their requests, commissioners go through those, converse with the department heads, and come up with a final budget, which will be reviewed with department heads again prior to the approval of the budget. The public hearing will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in the commission chambers at the courthouse, after which the budget should be approved.

Ziegenhorn said all the requests are quite conservative, so it's tough to trim any budgets.

"I think it's normal for departments to request more each year, knowing expenses will likely be higher," he said. Commissioners typically look at what that department spent in the previous calendar year, what the department is requesting, and try to meet somewhere in between, Ziegenhorn explained.

Departments typically spend between 80 and 85 percent of their budgets in a calendar year, according to officials. The unspent money can make up for any revenue shortfalls, or be put in the county's reserves.

The projected income through sales tax for 2010 is about $1.625 million, said Burger. Last year's receipts totaled about $1.628 million, compared to $1.655 million in 2008.

"We were behind about $27,000 for the year," said Burger. "But by listening to surrounding counties our percentage of decrease -- 1.6 percent -- is very small.

Burger said he believes that's because, with limited retail in Scott County, a lot of its tax revenues comes from tourism.

"We don't have a lot of peaks, because it's paid by travelers," said Burger.

Burger said no matter what, one thing remains consistent for this year's budget: "We're going to live within our means," he said.

However, any changes should not be seen by any of the county's residents, commissioners assured. "We are still going to provide all the services we have in the past for our county, without making any cuts to the services," said Ziegenhorn.