County departments share their estimate of needs for upcoming budget

The Board of County Commissioners and the Logan County Excise Board held a special joint meeting Wednesday morning to discuss estimate of needs for each county department’s annual budget.

Guthrie News Page has shared the 27 minute video of the special meeting at the bottom of this article.

Each of the three commissioners were present (Marven Goodman, Mike Pearson and Monty Piearcy) and two of the three excise board members were present (Marilyn Branch and Kenny David). Dan Ladd was absent.

Each county department shared their estimated needs for the upcoming fiscal year.

Sheriff Jim Bauman, Treasurer Sherri  Longnecker and the excise board reported their needs would remain the same as the previous year.

District Attorney Laura Austin Thomas also reported the department’s needs remain the same, but requested an additional $500 a month to help pay for civil attorney Lowell Bartow’s salary.

The election board asked for salary increases for employees.

Court Clerk ReJeania Zmek reported her department will be requesting less this year in personnel services after a court fund was approved to fund an additional employee.

Emergency Manager David Ball said his department is asking for a slight increase due to storm siren maintenance price increases.

County Clerk Troy Cole told the board she would like to add an additional employee, raises for current employees and an additional $5,000 for maintenance and operation. Cole said with the increased amounts, the cost would be generated from her office.

“We (department of seven) are pushed to the limit and postage has gotten extremely excessive,” Cole said.

Cathy James with the Extension Office said her estimate of needs remains similar, but noted Oklahoma State University continues to increase county funding due to cuts in higher education. James went on to advise the board that next year there will be a greater increase to the county.

The assessor’s office requested personnel raises to each employee at $100 a month. The office noted travel expenses will increase due to two new employees having to take a required seven classes.