A downturn in county sales tax revenue the final few months of 2014 may have cost county employees a raise for 2015.
The county commission held its annual budget hearing Monday prior to passing the 2015 budget.
Keith Lindquist, McDonald County Presiding Commissioner, said with revenue declining at the end of 2014, the commission was "somewhat" conservative with the budget.
"There were a lot of raises I think that were wanted, but they are probably mad at us," Lindquist said. "We thought we would try to hold it again this year with no raises."
Noel resident John Fitts questioned Lindquist if his statement that no pay raises were given included cost of a living increase.
Lindquist replied that no raises of any kind were given.
Fitts said that last year a cost of living increase of three percent was given, while the Consumer Price Index was at 1.5 percent.
"We never gave three percent last year," Lindquist said. "We never gave raises last year. We did not do across the board raises last year. We have done across the board raises since I have been here."
"I sit right here in the commission room and heard you do it," Fitts said.
"I am sorry to beg your difference, but it wasn't there," Lindquist said.
Lindquist said two longtime employees of the road department received raises last year, but no county employee received a raise this year.
Revenue Projection
Lindquist said the commission projected a three percent increase from 2014 in figuring its revenue projection for the upcoming year.
"We were a little nervous, because like I said earlier, sales tax was up this year (5.2 percent over 2013), but it was trending down at the end of the year," Lindquist said. "We did not know how to set the budget. I am sure everybody would like to have a raise -- I would like to have a raise -- but we just didn't feel like we could do it."
Total revenues for 2015 are estimated $8,416,381.05, which includes sales tax revenue $4,901,068.97. Other major sources of revenue include transportation and fuel taxes for the Road and Bridge Fund of about $750,000 and NCRS project funds of $360,000.
Revenue from the Law Enforcement Fund is expected to be about $600,000 while the Health Department fund is projected to add about $493,000.
Federal funding for the Oscar Talley Bridge replacement are estimated to be almost $250,000.
The total revenue includes $1,031,068.97 in projected sales tax revenue for 911. The 911 budget is controlled by the 911 board of directors. The commission has no control regarding the 911 budget.
Expenses
Total expenses for the year are estimated at $8,700,383.95, resulting in a surplus of $803,574.76.
Major expenses include nearly $3 million for the Road and Bridge Department; $2 million for the Law Enforcement Fund (this includes expenses for the Prosecuting Attorney, Coroner, jail and juvenile officer); $496,000 for the Health Department; and a transfer out of $1,031,068.97 for 911.
Projects and Capital Improvements
In addition to the replacement of the Oscar Talley Bridge, which is 100 percent funded through federal funds, Lindquist said the commission is looking at re-chipping and re-sealing roads 22 miles of county roads. He added the commission would also like to try and pave a new road or two.
Capital expenditures the commission is looking at for 2015 include replacing a road grader, a tractor and a track loader. Lindquist said grader would probably be a rebuilt model while the tractor and track loader will be new.
Lindquist said the sheriff's department is hoping to replace five patrol cars, but he thinks there will only be funding for three or four. The county plans to purchase used cars with about 60,000 miles from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
General News on 01/29/2015