Commissioners issue notice to start 2018 budget process

Whitman County commissioners issued a letter June 19 to department heads to outline the 2018 budget calendar, goals and priorities.

Department heads are asked to have their preliminary budgets filed with the auditor by Aug. 14.

According to the letter issued by commissioners, the general fund is expected to “remain somewhat stable” to produce $15 million revenue. Recent past years have produced good sales tax revenue, farm and construction revenue, and the construction trend is expected to continue into 2018, but farm economy has dropped with lower prices.

Sales tax revenue up to May was equal...