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Show yssionary resses & Rich ' sketball Around Winters hazards snarled this truck last week, just a couple of miles south of Woodruff. News photo by Lowell Hance. Set At S1.160.135 Animal Y rogram Assigned To Sheriff By Ruth Smith The Rich County Board of Commissioners Monday night approved the new Rich County budget of $1,160,135. The Rich County Commissioners listened while county employees voiced their opinions at the public budget hearing. On December 12. Commissioner Stuart stated There are a lot of counties with higher mill levies than ours. And the way ranching business has been, its hard to ask for more money. But Im hoping we can justify an inirease in salaries in the next few years. Of main concern to Treasurer Donnella Dean and Recorder Debbie Ames were the salaries their deputies (office helpers) are making. They deserve a lot more pay. Our deputies salaries should be raised before everyone receives a blanket cost of living, said Ames. The commission agreed that the deputies would receive only the 3 j raise increase that the rest of the county eployees receive. Sheriff Ogilvie expressed concern over a reduction in the benefits he had proposed for the sheriffs budget. He said that in order to have a merit plan for the deputies his department nees the entire The commission amount budgeted for benefits. for merit continue to the system raise. plans agreed Sheriff Ogilvie will receive a salary increase, but not as much as had been previously agreed upon. The commission also expressed concern that a ceiling be placed on the merit system plan and are planning on seeking legal opinion concerning the matter. Commissioner Cook suggested setting up an advisory board from the community. The board could suggest an acceptable pay scale for county employees. John Barnard expressed concern over the future need of a truck for the weed control program. I think it will make it another summer, but it will cost a lot to repair, he said. The commission said that the repairs or possibly used truck would fit into the weed a control budget. When the dog control program was duscussed, the commission agreed that enough money be approWe dont priated to handle the program correctly. want to even handle the dog control program unless it is handled correctly, said Commissioner Stuart. Two main areas are different in the anticipated revenue this year. $32,000 revenue is expected from the TV Tower Maintenance Program and $1,700 from dog fees. The animal control expenses are expected to exceed revenue. At the close of the meeting Commissioner Brown expressed disappointment in the public turnout. The general public needs to have an interest in where thier tax money goes. low-price- d, Infant Dies Darrin Warren, son of Tamara and Wade Bingham, was pronounced dead on arrival at the Evanston Memorial Hospital Wednesday, Dec- ember 7, Darrin had just celebrated his He was old birthday. born November 6, 1983. The Binghams reside in Randolph. at the Argyle Trailer Court. one-mon- th Sheriff Gary Ogilvie assigned by the Rich to assume reCommission County for the animal control sponsibility program. The animal control ordinance was originally enacted in 1981 and dog licenses were sold in 1982. But inl983, the program was discontinued because of a lack of funds. After a number of complaints, the commissioners felt that it was time to reinstate the program. The sheriff said that the state has laws that cover vicious animals. However, complaints about animals being a nuisance, such as barking and whining, have not been handled by the department because of a lack of a current animal control program. Im glad to see the commissioners work on this problem, said Sheriff Ogilvie. My past experience has been that no other problem can cause people to become aroused like a dog problem. I expect that as the program is put back into effect, we will have plenty of complaints. The sheriff is seeking voluntary The compliance from the public. animal control program will become effective January 1. License requirements are 1) a picture of the animal, 2) proof of rabies vaccination, 3) a license fee. Rich County has been |