July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
County budget may be tight (06/02/08)
Jay County Commissioners
By By STEVE GARBACZ-
Looming budget concerns in Jay County could mean reduced funding for cultural programs.
Eric Rogers, executive director of Arts Place, delivered a request for county funding this morning to Jay County Commissioners.
The proposal asked for money to cover costs on Arts in the Parks in Jay County, a summer culture program that begins June 9. The county has supported the program since 1988, Rogers said, and has been paying $12,250 since 2004.
Rogers was asking for a 3 percent increase to $14,200 per year, but the response was not encouraging, as commissioner Gary Theurer preferred to deliver the information upfront.
"Things are going to be tough next year," he said. "If you get what you got you'll probably be lucky."
With Jay County budget work approaching in the coming months and a 3 percent growth restriction for it, the commissioners are being realistic about where money can be allotted.
With rising costs across the board, the planning process will be "creative," Theurer said.
"The county funding makes a big difference," Rogers said during his proposal, but was overall understanding of the county's budget predicament. "Our existence does say a lot about the community ... about our value in culture."
"We've got to be the bad guys sometimes too," Theurer said. "It's not that we want to do it, but we may have no choice."
Sheriff Ray Newton also stopped in to talk budget, stating that he should exceed his 2008 fuel budget after the commissioners showed concern last week about his department's fuel usage.
The figures delivered to the commissioners of $29,700 for fuel is the department's remaining total, not its expenditures, Newton said, putting them just under the 50 percent mark.
"I think we'll be OK," he said. "I'm going to take my own steps as to what to do (about fuel costs)."
The department has spent about $7,000 more on fuel compared to last year, but the sheriff said he is continually monitoring the situation and will be taking steps to try to remain within the budgeted amount.
As for the upcoming county budgeting, "Some people might not like it, but we'll make it work," said Theurer in summation.
In other business Monday, the commissioners:
•Received information from attorney Lon Racster on a flood control ordinance. Modeled by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources for the state, Racster and Bill Milligan, Jay/Portland Building and Planning administrator, reviewed the model and adapted it to fit the county. Racster said the ordinance will have an impact on the issuance of flood insurance for residents and businesses. The ordinance was tabled until commissioner Milo Miller Jr., who is out of town, has a chance to review it.
•Signed an operational report to the State Board of Accounts presented by county engineer Dan Watson.[[In-content Ad]]
Eric Rogers, executive director of Arts Place, delivered a request for county funding this morning to Jay County Commissioners.
The proposal asked for money to cover costs on Arts in the Parks in Jay County, a summer culture program that begins June 9. The county has supported the program since 1988, Rogers said, and has been paying $12,250 since 2004.
Rogers was asking for a 3 percent increase to $14,200 per year, but the response was not encouraging, as commissioner Gary Theurer preferred to deliver the information upfront.
"Things are going to be tough next year," he said. "If you get what you got you'll probably be lucky."
With Jay County budget work approaching in the coming months and a 3 percent growth restriction for it, the commissioners are being realistic about where money can be allotted.
With rising costs across the board, the planning process will be "creative," Theurer said.
"The county funding makes a big difference," Rogers said during his proposal, but was overall understanding of the county's budget predicament. "Our existence does say a lot about the community ... about our value in culture."
"We've got to be the bad guys sometimes too," Theurer said. "It's not that we want to do it, but we may have no choice."
Sheriff Ray Newton also stopped in to talk budget, stating that he should exceed his 2008 fuel budget after the commissioners showed concern last week about his department's fuel usage.
The figures delivered to the commissioners of $29,700 for fuel is the department's remaining total, not its expenditures, Newton said, putting them just under the 50 percent mark.
"I think we'll be OK," he said. "I'm going to take my own steps as to what to do (about fuel costs)."
The department has spent about $7,000 more on fuel compared to last year, but the sheriff said he is continually monitoring the situation and will be taking steps to try to remain within the budgeted amount.
As for the upcoming county budgeting, "Some people might not like it, but we'll make it work," said Theurer in summation.
In other business Monday, the commissioners:
•Received information from attorney Lon Racster on a flood control ordinance. Modeled by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources for the state, Racster and Bill Milligan, Jay/Portland Building and Planning administrator, reviewed the model and adapted it to fit the county. Racster said the ordinance will have an impact on the issuance of flood insurance for residents and businesses. The ordinance was tabled until commissioner Milo Miller Jr., who is out of town, has a chance to review it.
•Signed an operational report to the State Board of Accounts presented by county engineer Dan Watson.[[In-content Ad]]
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