By: Health Insurance
Submitted: 2010-02-03 11:57:30 | Word Count: 716
Monroe County Commissioners held a budget hearing Monday, explaining upcoming cuts and projects during 2010.
The most significant payroll changes will be in the Monroe County Circuit Clerk’s office where 20 hours weekly will be cut among two employees based upon a recommendation done by state officials, and hours in the County Recorder’s office will be cut to bare bones, reducing hours from 832 hours yearly to 120 hours yearly. The sheriff’s department will eliminate one position through attrition. Two employees who retire from the road and bridge department will not be replaced or replaced with part-time employees. Funds for the Monroe County Extension office also will be reduced by approximately $5,000. The county will attempt to use part-time employees whenever possible to reduce benefit costs.
There also will be no pay raises, Monroe County Eastern District Commissioner Mike Whelan said, due largely in part to rising health insurance costs. “It’s just a bare bones budget,” Whelan said.
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Despite the cuts, the county officials will continue to maintain the historic courthouse in 2010. In 2009, a sump pump was installed, guttering was installed and sidewalks were dug out to allow drainage pipes to be installed. The courthouse roof was resealed and new sidewalks and an asphalt drive was laid. Interior work on the courthouse will continue in 2010 as the county has received a $123,110 ADA Grant to make the restrooms on the first floor handicapped accessible. The west main entry door of the courthouse will be replaced along with the installation of a new electronic assistance door opening device. Work is scheduled to begin early spring.
New computer equipment was purchased in the 911 department and the county paid off the old 911 telephone debt this past year. The collector updated computer equipment in her office and the assessment office has a new GIS Mapping Computer Program. New computer equipment and recording software was installed in the Recorders office in 2009.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department received a grant this past year in the amount of $9999.99 for the purchase of equipment and will receive grants in 2010 totaling $19,134. The 2010 grant money will be supplemented with money from the Clerf fund to purchase two new vehicles for the department along with other needed equipment.
Road and Bridge updated two motor graders and also purchased a new brush cutter. The motor was overhauled on the old brush cutter and it was placed back into use. A Solid Waste Grant passed through the Road & Bridge Department with two trailers purchased to be used as recyclable trailers. Also a Recreational Trail Grant from the Department of Natural Resources was used to help build a walking trail in Florida, Missouri.
Bridges build this year included a low water crossing on cart road 98 and a new bridge on county cart road 205. The 205 bridge (better known as the Columbia Bridge) was washed out in the flood of 2008 and FEMA money paid for 75 percent of the cost of replacing this bridge.
The Road and Bridge Fund is scheduled to receive a Recyclable Resource Grant from DNR this year and the grant will be used to revamp the county parking lot on the south side of the courthouse. All improvements to the lot will be done with recyclable products.
Monroe County faces financial challenges for 2010. Sales tax, use tax and interest revenues were down in 2009 and according to information received from the state, revenue will continue to decrease this year. Bridge replacement funding has been cut, therefore only the bridges that were already in the planning state for year 2010 will be funded. No new contracts for county bridges will be let this year.
The 2010 Budget has been difficult to prepare, said Monroe County Clerk Sandra Francis, and cuts were made in all departments. If revenue does not come in as budgeted, more cuts may be needed before the year end, said Monroe County Presiding Commissioner Donald Simpson
