Proposed 2010 Budget Approved by Carroll County Board

Tom Kocal

MT. CARROLL ­ The 2010 budget was on the agenda for the Nov. 19 CC Board meeting. But a resolution to declare a vacancy in the Carroll Co. Board District 2 was first addressed.

Due to the passing of Judy Gray, the Board was presented with a resolution that "hereby declares with sadness the position of County Board Member from District 2, formerly held by Judith Gray, to be vacant."

The resolution also states that the Clerk shall send a certified copy of the resolution to the chairman of each established political party in the County by November 23, in accordance with the Election Code. The vacancy will be filled by appointment of Chairman Fritz within 60 days, with the advice and consent of the County Board.

Gray was long-time Clerk and Recorder before being elected to the Board in District 2. The motion carried.

A review of the proposed 2010 budget was presented by County Administrator Michael Doty from the original spreadsheet used by the Finance committee during the budget process. The budget draft has been on the County web site - www.carroll-county.net - for several months, so only major changed were highlighted during the presentation.

"What we have here is several months of finance committee reviewing the numbers, the projections, and coming up with what they feel is a good budget and tax levy for you to approve," Doty said.

Starting at the end, the Board reviewed the total levy, which is $2.956 million, a 4.98% increase, based on property tax assessment figures of around $368 million.

"That's quite a bit less than last year. We're going in the right direction," said Doty. "Kudos to all department leaders for coming up with managed budgets. It really helps us when you're not that far in the hole, because then your cash balance is much better."

He said the budget that they are projecting in the General Fund is negative $140,000 that includes salary reimbursements in the State's Attorney's office, as well as a much-inflated contingency fund. There are a total of 57 different funds.

First, a motion was made to approve the 2010 combined budget and appropriations ordinance with these modifications:

- Modify by updating all line items in the estimated year ending Nov. 31, 2009;

- Increase Tax sale Automation Equipment 2010 budget Dept. 39 from $4000 to $5500;

- Increase (11-07-5019) Elections 2010 budget from $125,000 to $128,000;

- Modify all 2010 budget line items submitted by the 708 Board;

- Increase (11-20-6014) Hire Back Pay from $3000 to $5000;

- Decrease revenue item General Fund #3008 States Attorney Reimbursement from $159,063 to $116,064.

The motion was unanimously approved.

Next, a motion was presented to approve the proposed 2010 Tax Levy Resolution of $2,956,778. That, too, was unanimously approved.

"We should all be proud of ourselves," said Fritz, "because if you had any idea of what's going on in other counties, there is major debate on all issues in their budgets, and get nowhere near a unanimous approval of their budgets."

"We've been working on this since July," Clerk Brian Woessner said. "The finance committee has been great working with, and I don't think the budget has ever been presented continually for months. I think that's why there were not many questions."

Sharon Hook (D-2) and Preston both acknowledged the fine work of Doty as well, for presenting all the facts, so that everyone could understand them.

Port Authority update

A presentation by Doty regarding the new state statute called the Upper Mississippi River International Port District Act. Key facts are:

- The Act allows for the creation of water, rail, air and other transportation facilities;

- It is a tool to enhance the creation of jobs and businesses within the Port District;

- It encourages businesses needing transportation facilities to build near the port facilities in Carroll and Jo Daviess counties;

- No new taxes can be levied without voter approval in regards to a utility district;

- No taxes for the operation on the Port District.

There is no authority to do anything tax-related without voter approval, and no authority at all for levying a tax for operations.

It is solely an economic development tool.

Chuck Wemstrom (D-3) appreciated the information presented, saying "It has been much more helpful than the name-calling that went on in the newspapers the past couple of weeks. I think that reflects negatively on the Board when we act that way. I think we got a little excited a few weeks ago, and as we saw from this discussion, it is a complicated issue. This was a much better approach."

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