2017 budget: County adopts goal plan

The Board of County Commissioners Monday, June 20, adopted its 2017 budget calendar, goals and priorities. These were sent to all county departments responsible for submission of budgets.

The commissioners estimated that revenues into 2017 will remain stable in regard to the general fund, and they expect to have approximately $15 million in this fund. This includes $8.8 million from taxes, $3 million from federal and state funding, $1.3 million from charges for goods and services, $1.15 million from fines and penalities and $750,000 from other.

“That's what it looks like at the moment,” said Commissioner Art Swannack, noting a finalized figure will have to await any legislative action.

Of the $15 million, the commissioners have budgeted $100,000 for capital improvements, $170,000 for debt service, $100,000 for operating contingencies and $50,000 for restricted reserves, totaling $420,000. They also noted the $170,000 for debt service will go toward the 15-year $1.97 million loan taken out earlier this year for improvements to the Public Service Building, jail and courthouse.

“We're just trying to be responsible in how we do budgets,” Commissioner Swannack said of the debt service line item.

The commissioners additionally noted the operating contingencies fund initiated two years ago provides for unforeseen expenditures, and almost the entirety of the fund was used last year. The commissioners proposed continuing this fund at the same level as last year.

Another note by the commissioners stated that the restricted reserve fund has a current balance of $1.2 million and is for emergencies and disasters. In recent years, there have been no contributions to this account, and the State Auditor's Office recommends having two months of coverage of the general operating expenditures stored in this fund. For Whitman County, this would amount to $2.4 million.

“We want to build that back up,” said Commissioner Swannack.

The commissioners asked department heads to keep the 2017 general fund departmental budgets close to the current 2016 budget. They additionally asked that submitted budgets include a narrative to explain changes to the budget, as well as stated fund and departmental goals for 2017.

Commissioner Swannack noted the budget can be difficult with state mandates.

“The level of funding the county receives versus the number of tasks and functions the county is supposed to perform makes it hard,” he said. “We're trying to make sure to keep up. We got behind the curve, so now we're playing catch up.”

He said being conservative with budgets now with the challenges the county faces, such as meeting state mandates and functions with a limited budget, will allow the county to boost its fiscal responsibility.

“Just besides the regular day-to-day, we're trying to get ahead of the curve, and year-to-year, you're trying to maintain things,” he said. “It needs to be done, or you'll have a bigger hole.”