 The first topic discussed by the committee was establishing dates
for preparing the budget for the 2014 fiscal year. The committee
usually has a few extra meetings when gathering data from the
various county-related departments, agencies and organizations that
receive money through the county.Meeting dates were set for July
29 and 30. Chuck Ruben said he wanted to begin work on this budget a
little earlier than usual to avoid any rush that may arise in
passing the budget.
Due to the recent decision by the city of Lincoln to take over
the handling of the hotel-motel tax, the county will not have to
receive figures for that tax in planning the 2014 budget.
The second topic addressed by the committee was the high cost of
the Harris trial. In this fiscal year, the county budgeted $600,000
for the trial. Currently, the bills are totaling just under
$400,000, with some costs that are still being finalized. An example
is the reimbursement for travel and meal expenses for county
employees from the offices of the circuit clerk and the state's
attorney who participated or witnessed the trial in an official
capacity.
A majority of the costs generated by the trial are bills for the
defense.
"The defense racked up most of the cost at $324,504, and
prosecution has totaled so far $9,636," said Ruben.
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A guest at the meeting, Sally Gosda from the health department,
asked if a potential appeal would be paid for by Logan County.
Ruben said it is unlikely, as the appellate court involved would
pay for any hearings related to an appeal. He also said that money
paid for an appeal would likely be much less than any costs paid for
the trial itself.
"The main costs to us are over with," Ruben said.
On the topic of county expenses, Terry Carlton told the committee
that the county seems to be on track in terms of how much money
should be spent by this point in the year.
Committee members present were Chuck Ruben, chairman; Bob Farmer;
Jan Schumacher; Terry Carlton; and Rick Aylesworth. Guests included
Vicki Dugan, county treasurer; Mary Kelley, circuit clerk; and Sally
Gosda from the health department.
[By DEREK HURLEY]
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