County OKs $70.8 million budget

The Daily Inter Lake

A budget process that took county officials on a roller-coaster ride ended Tuesday morning when the commissioners unanimously approved a $70.8 million budget for the coming year.

The budget is about $10 million more than the 2007-2008 budget, and property owners will see higher tax bills to help the county make ends meet. The increase equates to about $35 more annually for the owner of a home valued at $150,000.

The increase in tax revenue will help pay for capital improvements and a 4 percent raise for county employees. Additionally, it will allow the county to maintain its cash reserves.

Tax levies also were increased to the maximum amounts for mosquito control (one mill), emergency medical services (one mill), special emergency medical services (two mills) and search and rescue (one mill).

With a potential budget crisis looming on next year's horizon, county department heads cut $681,805 from this year's original budget requests.

"We very much appreciate these efforts to allow us to live within our means," County Administrator Mike Pence said. "I think everybody is pretty supportive. They all understand that these are rough, tough times. It will probably get worse before it gets better."

Commissioners expected to lose about $1.5 million in federal funds, which included $900,000 earmarked for the Road Department. An 11th-hour bid by Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., to reauthorize the funds looked as if it was going to pass, but the money was cut in the U.S. House.

On Sept. 8, the commissioners sent a letter to all county departments asking for as many reductions as possible. The cuts were due to the lower valuation numbers certified by the Montana Department of Revenue, because of the significantly reduced real estate and construction activity in the valley.

Personnel costs are the largest expenditure in the budget, and department heads were asked to put a hold on hiring to fill vacant positions. By not filling the spots, the county may avoid layoffs in the future.

The commissioners did allow two half-time positions for the mosquito abatement program, which is funded by a one-mill levy. They also added a full-time nurse position at the detention center, hoping the cost will be offset by a reduction in contract service.

Eagle Transit was granted nearly two full-time employees for additional bus drivers and a part-time cleaner. This program is funded by a voted one-mill levy. A part-time position was also granted for the records retention program that is funded by the state.