Scott County uses past balances to keep 2006 budget in the black

BENTON, Mo. -- The Scott County Commission passed the county's 2006 budget Thursday with no public comment, and few notable changes or large expenses as compared to 2005.

Higher costs for fuel, more emergency preparedness money budgeted and a 4 percent cost of living increase for all county employees has pushed estimated general revenue expenditures to $4.8 million, about $1.3 million higher than 2005's final expenditures. At the same time projected revenue is expected to increase from 2005's $3.7 million to $4 million this year.

The difference will be offset by money in the county coffers from previous years, keeping the budget in the black.

Fuel cost is one of the highest increases seen in line items. An increase of $25,000 over 2005's original budgeted amount for highway department fuel brings that estimated cost to $90,000. Last year the actual cost exceeded the budgeted amount by about $15,000.

Bigger fuel budget

The sheriff's department was budgeted $65,000 for fuel this year, $30,000 over 2005's original budget and about $11,000 over last year's actual expenditures.

When fuel costs rose drastically last summer, the county ended up spending about 125 percent of its original budgeted amount for fuel. Commissioners want to avoid a repeat of that scenario, even if the 2006 budget allows too much money for fuel.

"The whole time we're making this budget we're trying to hit the extremes," said Commissioner Jamie Burger.

Commissioner Dennis Ziegenhorn said fuel costs are something that can only be predicted to a certain degree.

"It's really out of our control," said Ziegenhorn.

Commissioners actually budgeted $5,000 more than their budget requests for fuel in both the sheriff's and highway departments.

Commissioners also approved requests for higher salary expense in the sheriff's department to the tune of almost $115,000. Part of that is the cost of living increase, but part of the money will be used to hire an additional road deputy for the department.

Extra money was placed in an emergency fund, with $200,000 budgeted for 2006 -- $50,000 over 2005.

Capital improvements was once again budgeted at $500,000, equal to the budgeted amount for 2005. This amount will help pay for further improvements at the county's courthouse, including addressing drainage problems on the grounds.

Some of the capital improvements funds may not be spent, though, if projects cost less than expected, said Burger.

Added expenses in 2006 include $100,000 budgeted for the county to begin storing documents electronically or on microfilm.

Elections will also eat up funds that weren't needed for that purpose in 2005's off year. In 2005, $42,000 was spent on elections, while the budgeted amount for 2006 is $110,000.

Revenue from telephone taxes for the county's communications center fund, which funds E-911 services, is expected to drop from 2005's $224,000 to $208,000.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182