Adams County commissioners approve 2017 budget

The Adams County Board of Commissioners approved the 2017 budget totaling $28,428,966, during their regular meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 21, in Othello.

Chairman John Marshall said one of the county’s goals regarding the budget is to contain consistent funding and he ensured there were no major changes this year. Remaining consistent can prove to be difficult, said Marshall as he said they received an additional $1.2 million in requests than anticipated.

In an attempt to keep their goal, Marshall said they matched the 2016 amount budgeted for each of the requests despite the increased amount desired.

Regarding improvements to the jail, Marshall said the county is aware of some additional technological advances which may be needed soon, and the county is prepared to fund those needs accordingly when it deems necessary.

Out of the $1.2 million requested, commissioner Roger Hartwig said they were able to allocate $400,000 of the funds desired. Marshall said if the department heads find themselves needing additional funding, they could look over the county’s revenue sources and current expense fund to decide if there are funds available.

Marshall said they would have liked to fund for additional law enforcement but the fact they did not need to make any cuts from within the departments is always the desired outcome.

The law enforcement department requested the replacement of a damaged vehicle, which had been purchased only a year ago, Marshall explained. The commissioners have allocated for the replacement of three vehicles not including the recently purchased one.

The 2017 budget resolution states the Sheriff Department requested the creation of a new deputy position, to fill the vacant four sergeant positions, the creation of a deputy position vacated by the promotion of sergeant and to fill multiple other vacant positions, which were all denied.

The Auditor’s Office request for a new office/ payroll administrator position received approval and the Public Works Department’s request for a new transfer station mechanic position was denied.

During the meeting regarding the approval of the budget, the County approved the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) to be increased one and a half to two percent to non-union employees, non-union exempt employees, and non-union management employees. The increase went into effect on Jan. 1. The County also noted the increase of the insurance cap to $700 for all elected officials and non-union employees.

The budget states Adams County’s Current Expense Fund carried over $10,135,500 from 2016.

Marshall said the court requested an increase in some of their line items. Although the County denied the request, Marshall said if the status of the funds became required, they would provide the necessary amount from the Current Expense Fund.

In order to keep track of how the departments are budgeting their funds Marshall said the commissioners review a monthly report on the percentage spent in each department. When reviewing the reports, Marshall said they look for any expenses which are not necessary or are not understandable.

A legal fund diversion through the Public Works and Solid Waste Department will fund for a new deputy, Marshall explained. The solid waste deputy will focus specifically on code enforcement and the public works deputy will work with traffic control, he added.

Marshall said the county ended 2016 on a positive note and no major changes were made to the 2017 budget. After learning their Inmate Welfare fund could be used to fund or purchase anything for the jail, the County decided to use the money to pay the facilities’ bills.

The County also decided to raise the $5,000 allocated for the Adams County Pet Rescue to $15,000 in order to support the organization for their hard work. The money will also assist in funding for a new animal enforcement officer if needed.

In addition to raising the rescue’s funds, they also increased the Ritzville, Lind and Washtucna Senior Centers funds from $5,000 to $7,000.

The following department funds were allocated for in the county’s Current Expense Fund totaling $8,925,541. The county has budgeted $302,966 for the Commissioners Department and $233,550 for the Superior Court. The Ritzville District Court has $306,711 and $294,147 has be allocated for the Othello District Court.

The Auditor’s Office has $409, 407, the Clerk-Treasurer’s Office received $186,276 and $294,432. The Assessor’s Office was budged for $384,476.

For the Prosecuting Attorney Department $706,244 has been allocated for the fund and $197,867 for the Support Enforcement Department.

The county has budgeted $1,819,996 for Police Operations and $704,906 for the Care and Custody Department fund. The Juvenile Department has $474,375 and the Planning and Building Department has been allocated $462,412. The county’s Current Expense Reserve Fund currently has $1,200,000.

The Coroner and WSU Extension Departments funds have $30,200 and $143,536.

Marshall and Hartwig said overall they are pleased with the budget and are excited with the fact they were able to remain consistent and fulfill certain requests within the departments.