Capital expenses: Amendment grows county budget by $1.2m

Whitman County’s first budget amendment was approved Monday by commissioners, finalizing a simplification of county accounting practices.

The amendment added $1,165,935 to the 2012 current expense budget, lifting expenses from $12,896,617 to $14,062,552.

Financial Administrator David Ledbetter explained the total will be unique to 2012, as it includes a loan for major projects on the courthouse complex and reflects a switch in the county’s accounting practices.

County officials, in an effort to meet state audit standards, opted to prepare their financial statement on a simple “cash” basis, ins...