Commissioners turn budget gaze to law library
Nick Dutro ndutro@advertiser-tribune.comThe Seneca County Board of Commissioners continued to give their attention to the 2010 budget by discussing funding for the law library during their meeting Monday.
Stacy Wilson, county administrator, said she had recently spoken with Attorney Mark Davis and representatives of the Seneca County Auditor's Office about the budget for the law library. Wilson was asked whether the commissioners would be providing funding for the law library out of the general fund.
Ben Nutter, board president, said he needed more information before they could make a decision.
"I need to see a proposal of what they bring in in fines and fees and what their anticipated budget is, before I decide whether or not I want to supplement them with the general fund," Nutter said.
Commissioner Mike Bridinger agreed.
"We need to gather more information to find out exactly what that budget would be," Bridinger said.
Commissioner Dave Sauber said the law library will need to follow the same recommendations they have set for other county offices.
"We (need to) make them go by the rules that we're setting for other departments," Sauber said.
During previous sessions, commissioners have asked county offices to reduce their original 2009 budget by 10 percent for 2010. They also have asked offices to put a hold on raises for 2010.
Nutter agreed with Sauber's statement about following the guidelines set forth for other county offices.
"I certainly do not want to make the law library defunct, so we have to look at what we budgeted them for 2009 and consider a deduction of the typical 10 percent," Nutter said. "Once we get a handle on what their projected revenue is, we can make some decisions."
The commissioners added that the law library will need to certify through the budget commission.
Wilson said the law library is trying to reduce its budget in various ways, including reducing purchases of materials available online.
The board canceled its regular Thursday meeting this week. Their next meeting is set for Nov. 17 at 10 a.m.
In other news, the board:
n Accepted a supplemental appropriation of $0.05 to the bond retirement fund.
n Accepted a fund transfer of $449,560 to the bond retirement fund.
n Accepted a fund transfer of $62,000 to the note retirement fund.
n Accepted an appropriation adjustment of $2,730.48 within the EMA fund.
n Accepted an appropriation adjustment of $10,000 within the general fund.
n Accepted an appropriation adjustment of $1,000 within the general fund.
n Accepted an appropriation adjustment of $4,927.61 within the Clerk of Courts title administration fund.
n Accepted an appropriation adjustment of $7,600 within the general fund.
n Accepted a resolution accepting a change order for the Seneca County Museum carriage house roof for the addition to the scope of work to include replacing the gutters and downspouts with galvanized steel and authorizing Nutter as commission president to sign this change order on behalf of the Seneca County.
n Accepted a resolution approving the recommendation of the Tax Incentive Review Council's findings regarding enterprise zone tax abatements for companies located in Seneca County for tax year 2008.
n Accepted the proclamation Adoption Awareness Month.
