Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
COLFAX — Commissioners approved a $59 million county budget for 2021.
At $58,989,074, the budget is down from $64,002,692 for 2020.
“It’s definitely been a journey,” Administrative Services Director Jessica Jensema said. “Considering the year it’s been and the absolutely unforeseen future in ’21, I think we did pretty good.
“We knew we would be budgeted to lose money in ‘21.”
The difference in revenues and expenditures is $1,068,187, expected to be covered by the county’s $7.5 million (as of 11 a.m. Tuesday) cash balance. The county also has $2.8 million in general fund reserves.
More revenue will come in for 2021 due to an approved 1% increase in property taxes.
The 2021 budget features an estimated $385,000 in turnbacks, money approved for the current year’s budget and turn it back for whatever reason – at present because of the economic downturn and uncertainty from COVID-19.
“It’s the best we can do in uncertain times,” County Commission Chairman Michael Largent said. “The budget is just a guess about the future, hopefully an educated guess. This year, more guessing than educated.”
In September, commissioners directed Jensema to meet with county department heads that had increases planned for 2021 to find cuts.
Budget reductions were sought from last December’s projected 2020 numbers — which did not take into account amendments made this year as a result of the virus (and subsequent $3.7 million in federal CARES relief money).
By October, the county had “turned back” $324,317 in three budget amendments.
Things set aside for 2021 in various departments include capital improvements, hiring additional employees and going without adding services.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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