Sheriff expects 11% increase in 2010 budget
Staff writer
County Commissioners heard preliminary estimates Monday calling for an 11 percent increase in the sheriff’s budget.
Sheriff Rob Craft told commissioners the biggest new items would be replacing two department vehicles that are becoming costly to maintain.
One has more than 220,000 miles on it, and another has about 160,000 miles.
Another increase would come from hiring a second corrections officer, a position that would be transferred from the communications department.
The department’s 2009 budget is $533,992. Craft’s preliminary estimate for 2010 is $592,888.
Other items expected to increase would be vehicle maintenance, fuel, and utilities, as well as purchase of two refurbished radar units.
Appraiser Cindy Magill expects a 2.4-percent decrease if wages are frozen in her department, or a 0.4-percent decrease if employees receive a two percent raise.
Her department’s 2009 budget is $346,635. Her preliminary estimate for 2010 is $338,246 to $345,503.
“You don’t have any huge surprises in your budget,” commission chairman Dan Holub said.
In other business:
- Economic Development Director Teresa Huffman will purchase a 2002 Dodge Caravan for $7,500 from federal surplus. The van has 26,493 miles on it and is in good shape. She said her department’s car will be transferred to the appraiser’s office.
- Road and Bridge Department will purchase 1,440 gallons of motor oil from Cardie Oil of Tampa for $14,839. Cardie’s was the only bid.
- Commissioners met with Rollin Schmidt, director of the transfer station, household hazardous waste, and noxious weed control, in closed session .
- The transfer station will purchase 16 Cooper trailer tires from Cardie Oil for $243 per tire. The company bid $360 for Toyo and $373 for Firestone tires. Rod’s Tire and Service of Hillsboro bid $277 for Firestone and $199 for Dynatrack tires.
- Shawn Britton of Marion will mow the courthouse grounds at a rate of $60 per mowing. Ginger Richter of Florence previously won the job the bid of $35 but rescinded the bid when asked to carry liability insurance, County Clerk Carol Maggard said.
