Commissioners slate third change in budget

The third and final budget amendment for 2016 is now set to go before the county commissioners. The commissioners Monday set a hearing date for the proposed amendment.

County Commissioner Art Swannack told the Gazette the amendment is mostly housekeeping and revenue.

“It’s all pretty much positive, and we haven’t had anything new from the coroner yet,” he said. The coroner’s office reported to the commissioners that it is expected to make it through the end of the year with the funds it currently has.

The amendment includes approximately $31,000 in revenue from district court.

“District court had an increase in the amount of money being recouped,” said Swannack.

The revenue actually went up by about $50,000, but approximately $22,000 is being used to cover for a correction in district court. Swannack said there was an accidental double entry for the state’s portion of the judge’s salary which needed to be corrected.

“The net effect is $31,000 to the positive,” said Swannack.

Swannack also said the amendment includes set up funds for capital projects. The money, he explained, is already there, but just needs to be allocated to the appropriate funds.

Additionally, a 911 grant will be added to the Whitcom line item. That amounts to approximately $266,000.

“It’s not huge amounts of added revenue, but it helps the start of 2017,” said Swannack.

The hearing for the amendment is set for Dec. 19, at 10:30 a.m. in the commissioner’s chambers at the courthouse. The hearing is open to the public.

The commissioners are also expected to be adopting the final 2017 budget. The county has been working since October to balance the budget, and Swannack reported that as of right now, it is balanced and expected to be approved at the Dec. 19 meeting.