County OKs budget of $62 million

The Daily Inter Lake

Flathead County commissioners gathered all of the county's department heads Thursday morning to thank them for their hard work before voting to approve the county's 2007-08 budget.

Commissioner Gary Hall said he didn't expect anyone to comment during the budget's pubic hearing.

Five people already have addressed the commissioners with their concerns with the document. All five brought up issues with funding county roads.

Bill Green, who called the entire budget inadequate, said the Road and Bridge Department was in a deplorable state.

Green also said the Sheriff's and Health departments were in need of more funds.

Noel Gorton spoke to the commissioners at length about the conditions of county roads.

Though Gorton praised the budget document, she cited several places where the county could save money that could be put to better use paving roads.

"A little bit here, a little bit there. It all adds up," she said.

Hall thanked Gorton for investigating the budget so thoroughly and that he appreciated the time everyone took to look through it.

"Even though some of the comments were misguided, I hope we were able to clear things up for them," Hall said. "I strongly encourage anyone with questions to look at the budget."

The 2007-08 budget projects total revenue of $62.2 million with expenditures totaling $60 million.

The budget passed unanimously with Commissioner Joe Brenneman casting his vote via conference call.