Logan County Board's Finance Committee hashes out a first draft of next year's budget that would begin Dec. 1, 2015. At the head of the table under the clock is Finance Chairman Chuck Ruben, continuing clockwise committeemen Bob Farmer, Rick Aylesworth, Gene Rohlfs, Emily Davenport, Andy Anderson and County Board Administrative Assistant and PCOM Officer, Pam Meagher sitting next to Ruben.
 

Logan County's first draft FY2016 budget to go before full board
Anticipated new growth revenues would not prevent cuts

[August 13, 2015]  LINCOLN - The Logan County Finance Committee has begun its preparations for the next fiscal year's budget. The FY 2015/16 budget that would take effect on December 1, 2015 takes several months to craft. It begins by reviewing annual figures in last year's budget, asking departments for budgets, and refiguring for anticipated changes in revenues and expenditures.

Finance Chairman Chuck Ruben led committee members Bob Farmer, Gene Rohlfs, Rick Aylesworth, Emily Davenport and Andy Anderson through various line items of last year's figures, making adjustments and recommending moves between funds.

The county could see revenue increases from two new projects, a $25,000 stipend to be paid after the first of December from Cresco Labs Medical Marijuana Production Facility, and $800,000 in permit fees from the Relight/Meridien Wind Farm, if it comes in. And a one quarter percent sales tax is expected to increase from $525,000 to $550.000.

One item was to move $35,000 from Enterprise Zone to the Economic Development Partnership for the county to provide the EDP $55,000 for the coming year.
 

Ruben also recommended making a transfer of $35,000 to pay off the high interest rate Sysco bonds. These were bonds taken out in 2005 that helped pay for business development on Lincoln's west side when Sysco Foods relocated from Springfield to Lincoln.
In recent years when a recommendation for employee raises has been brought before the full board, it has sparked repetitive, extensive discussions. Rather than make any recommendation in committee this year, Ruben simply asked for a generic motion to discuss employee raises on Thursday evening at the full-board's Workshop.

Ruben took a moment to explain to newer board members present what the board is allow to do for employee raises. He said the board can only put money for raises into each department's budget and the department head decides where that money can go. Emily Davenport asked and was answered, yes, there is some room in some of the budgets that the department heads can shift funds from other budgeted expenses to go toward employee pay. That is a supervisor's discretion. Ruben explained further that there is a foundation for the employee pay based on payroll accounting provided by the treasurer's office. The board can make a determination to provide a cross-the-board percentage raises for employees and then it is up to the department head to say who gets how much of a raise out of that department's budget.

On another fund matter, there has been $5,000 from the Airport Fund used for events. The fund has been part of the negotiation with the Chamber of Commerce in exchange for use of the airport grounds for the Balloon Festival. This year is covered. The committee discussed opening these funds up for other events. Logan County communities would be able to apply for funds for their special events such as fall festivals.

Written requests would need to made and accepted up to December 7th. Attendance at the Monday, Dec 7th, Airport Committee by someone representing the event is recommended.

As it stands now the proposed budget makes some hard hits. Ruben acknowledged that the Health Department does not get its full funding and there would be cuts to the Road and Bridge Fund in order to create a zero balance to the General Fund for 2016.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Rick Aylesworth reported a bit of a concern on revenues. Revenues are running behind by half what should be in at this time in the fiscal year.

Another concern in the near future is if the state would not reach a budget, reimbursements for the states attorney and public defender would cease, and later the sales tax returns would stop coming to the county. While temporary, it could create cash flow issues for the county.

[Jan Youngquist]