Council reviews budgets (09/25/2008)

The Jay County Council conducted a non-binding review of other budgets within the tax base Wednesday night with a couple of gripes.

As a requirement by the Department of Local Government Finance, the council took time to review the other budgets within the county.

Council members looked over the county's township, town, library and solid waste district budgets, although they have no power to make any changes to those budgets.

Council member Fred Bailey made a note during the City of Portland budget, saying he had heard some complaints about the city's salary increase.

"The 4 percent pay raise, they suggested, was excessive," Bailey said.

Portland Mayor Bruce Hosier defended the action, saying they wanted to get the increases in this year since they didn't know what the situation may be in the next two years.

"We would stand on the budget we presented," he said.

With no power to take action one way or another, the comments were noted and the council moved on, giving its approval to the budgets.

Council members expressed displeasure at the new review requirement, which came as part of the recent property tax legislation, with Gerald Kirby calling it an "absolute, total waste."

The county took the time and effort to prepare and print the pile of the additional budgets over which they have no influence other than the ability to make a suggestion, which the individual entities have no obligation to follow.

Jay County's budget also passed its second reading with no bumps in the road Wednesday night. With no changes or objections, the council approved the second reading unanimously.[[In-content Ad]]