The Marion County Board Budget Committee will be recommending some major changes in the budget for the next fiscal year.
The committee Tuesday night assigned board members and office holders to prepare for some of those changes.
They include adding a position of Executive Assistant to help the board with its operations. Board Chair Steve Whritenour said he would be bringing more information before the county board at its next meeting. He noted the position would be patterned after the Executive Assistant position in Jefferson County.
The committee will also look at seeking bids on all of the county’s internet service and phone needs, noting the current system is failing in several areas. Board Chair Brock Waggoner said the county’s current website is not ADA compliant and in need of upgrade. Changing from the current fuel tanks at the highway garage to a card system to purchase fuel at gas stations will also be studied. The committee will also look at bidding out computer purchases for all county offices together and possibly getting a master Microsoft license.
Options are also being studied for implementing the new county Veteran’s Assistance Program. It was noted Fayette County was looking for another county to charge the Veterans Affairs Officer. Board member Cody Rose told committee members not to downplay the position, noting it can help veterans get benefits they earned and could even assist in getting funds for such things as starting a new business.
An animal control facility and staffing it is another need that hasn’t been finalized.
Waggoner says $75,000 needs to be put into the budget to reroof the Public Service building. The roof of the main building at the Highway Department also needs to be completed in the coming year, but an estimated price has not been determined. In addition to these projects, the committee hopes to include a $200,000 fund for building improvements.
Waggoner is pleased with the budget proposals made by the office holders which held the line. However, he says with new expenditures of $300,000 to $400,000, the committee will likely have to look at cuts to keep expenses in line with revenue.
The board will look at the various projects again at its October meeting after additional information is gathered.
