Grundy County Commissioners adopted a deficit budget for the calendar year on Wednesday, however, as in recent years, commissioners hope expenses will be less than projected and revenues come in higher than anticipated. That combination has allowed Grundy County to finish the calendar year with a balanced budget.
Such was the case for 2019 when a projected deficit of $502,000 turned into a positive balance December 31st of more than $437,000 which is a $939,000 plus turn around – due to what commissioners called several factors.
In her budget message, County Clerk Betty Spickard reported expenses last year came in $600,000 less than expected due to not being able to build two rural bridges, no jury trials, no extra elections; and fewer autopsies. Recognition was given to elected and department officials for being conservative and not spending all the money appropriated. The cost of telephone service with a third-party provider (“net for less”) was reduced in all departments except the 911 system which remains A T and T.
Mrs. Spickard said revenues increased last year $325,000 more than expected mainly due to the ambulance service generating an additional $300,000 on collections.
This year, Grundy County’s budget again projects a deficit, this time the amount comes in at $868,717. Expenses from all funds are listed at $6,316,297 with revenues showing $5,447,580.
Grundy County begins this year with carryover funds of $3,752,714 and if all spending is realized and revenues come in as anticipated, the projected county balance as of next December 31 will drop to $2,883,997.
Among significant increases in costs is insurance. Upon learning of a possible 46 percent increase in health premiums, the county sought bids. The medical insurance quote accepted by the county is up by 30 percent when compared to last year. Grundy county continues to pay 75 percent of an employees’ health insurance premium. Spickard said Grundy County was “hit” with a $35,000 worker’s compensation increase due to more claims. No raises were given to county employees, however, they did receive a raise of 25cents per hour raise in 2019,
Grundy County has again budgeted money to construct two bridges, one on Northeast 30th Street and the other on Northwest 60th Avenue. Commissioners said taking care of flood-damaged structures last year prevented the two from being built.
Also planned is a new bridge on Southwest 80th Avenue near Routes U and F using money from BRO government funds. $40,000 is budgeted again for economic development, $25,000 is earmarked for updates to the circuit courtroom and $17,500 goes to the Grundy county extension office. $200,000 in CART rock funds will be distributed per road mile to the townships and the Spickard Special Road District again this year.
Purchases include the first complete new ambulance since 2008 to replace a current vehicle, equipment for 911 service, two good but used pickups for road and bridge, new computers for various departments and a new computer server for the courthouse due to Microsoft no longer supporting the old system. Local costs also will be incurred with four elections this year in March, April, August, and November.
Grundy County’s budget also is impacted by the expense of flood damages that happened last year. The money will need to be spent first on repairs and then the county makes application on FEMA reimbursements for eligible costs. Presiding Commissioner Phillip Ray spoke at the budget hearing this morning concerning the major expenses.
Grundy County has three sales tax funds, each of which last year received $472,836 which was one to two percent less than the year before. Based on recent trends, the county has budgeted $450,000 in each sales tax category for general purposes, the ambulance service, and law enforcement purposes.
As with any budget, the Grundy County Clerk and Commissioners say they just “plan for the worst and hope for the best.”
