OCR Text |
Show Garfield Budget $1.47 Million For 1982, Down From Last Year While most people were wrapping gifts and decorating Christmas trees, Garfield County commissioners were wrestling with the final figure of the county's 1982 budget. Total budget for 1982 is set at $1.47 million, down approximately $100,00 from this last year's budget. Commissioners stated they felt that the county is on a "sound financial footing" and they attribute the savings to careful management, particualrly in the county road department. Commissioners were able to drop the county's mill levy 1.09 mills, placing the county in the second lowest position in mill levies assessed, with only Sevier county levying less. Each department under county government has faced rapidly increasing costs of operations reflected in departmental totals over the past five years. Total budget for the clerk's department in 1978 was $124,942; for 1982 it is projected at $55,725. This 1932 figure includes the clerk's salary at $16,500 and full time deputy at $11,820 and part-time deputy. Plans are to purchase a new typewriter for the department for 1982. Older typewriters will be put into use by deputies and part-time employees. Much of the equipment currently in use in the courthouse is antiquated and requires constant upkeep and servicing. Plans are to purchase a new copying machine with general funds. The machine will be used by all departments in county government with each i (Continued on Page 7) Garfield Budget Set (Continued from Page 1) department coded into the machine so that proper billing for each department can take place. In 1978 the total budget for the treasurer's department was $24,216; the 1982 budget is estimated to be $44,877 which includes a full time deputy at $11,544 with additional funds budgeted for special help at busy tax times. The treasurer's salary is set at $16,000.00. The 1978 total budget for the county recorder's office 12 $23,333. with $37,850 budgeted for 1982. The recorder's salary Is set at $18,000, with $3,000 budgted for extra part-time help. No new equipment has been scheduled for the recorder's office. The county assessor's office budgeted $26,502 for 1978, and has budgeted $43,1341 for 1982. A new typewriter is slated for the assessor's office and some new drapes for the windows. As deputy for the office receives an annual salary of $10,356. The Garfield County's attorney's office in 1978 budgeted $24,451 for office operations and salaries. The 1982 projected budget is $34,669. No specific changes are projected for the attorney's office until the courthouse addition is completed. Outlay was necessary for books for the courthouse legal library. Annual editions of lawbooks must be purchased yearly to keep the library current. The county attorney's new salary at $18,000 is the lowest among all comparative counties, with the closest salary, the Kane County attorney at $23,300. A part time deputy earns $4,162 working three hours each day. The sheriff's department budgeted $70,509 in 1978, with $106,228 bugeted for 1982. This includes a salary of $17,500 for the sheriff with $26,484 allotted for two full-time deputies. The department has budgeted for a new typewriter, a full time secretary at $9,000 yearly, and $12,000 for the purchase of a new four-wheel drive. The commissioner's department in 1978 budgeted $24,916 and has set $49,850 for 1982. Commissioners salaries have been set at $8,000 each. Salary increases in the county amounted to approximately 20 percent for the clerk, recorder, assessor, and treasurer. Increases for the county attorney was approximately 21 percent and for the commissioners, 29 percent. A total of $13,000 was spent in 1981 to hire jailers to monitor prisoners. Commissioners opted to hire a certified officer who will guarantee to monitor prisoners throughout the year for a monthly salary of $333, a savings of approximately $9,000. The officer can also serve as baliff to the court, serve legal papers, transport prisoners, and be deputized in emergency situations. A total of $1,000 has been slated for improvements to the facility to bring the jail up to state standards by adding an exercise yard. Utility costs at the facility were reduced from very high rates by serving the building from the new boiler at the courthouse. |