The Marion County Board’s Finance Committee Chair Chris Koch reported Tuesday night the committee has trimmed more from next year’s proposed budget but is still $850,000 in the red.
Koch says they are still looking at additional cuts and hope to be able to find some savings in the insurance and benefits area. The board has to adopt a budget in November before the next fiscal year begins on December first.
Sheriff Kevin Cripps reported that he is facing a sizeable increase in medical care at the jail. Advanced Correctional Health Care has switched to having a registered nurse at the jail five days a week from LPN’s. That has increased the cost of the contract from $186,000 to $254,000. But the sheriff reports the change has also resulted in fewer trips to doctor’s offices and the jail.
It was also announced a tentative contract agreement has been reached with the Fraternal Order of Police at the Marion County Sheriff’s Department. No details are being released until both sides ratify.
Income from the county’s 1/4 cent and 1 cent sales tax are up from last September. The 1/4 cent sales tax increased nearly $3,000 to $85,276 while the one cent sales tax increased nearly $6,000 to $50,600.
Marion County ESDA Coordinator Sheri Barter reported ESDA will begin its Halloween Patrols to try and cut down vandalism next Monday night. The patrols continue through October 31st.
