COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Work on Branch County’s 2017 budget is just about done. The only things left for the Branch County Board of Commissioners to do is hold a budget hearing during their meeting Tuesday, and then adopt the spending plan on December 20.
County Administrator Bud Norman told Commissioners during their work session Thursday the proposed budget is balanced.
In all there are 23 departments that will get appropriations.
He said the top increase in the budget was an additional $800,000 for the Sheriff’s Department and jail operations.
Norman says they have managed to save money on fuel by locking into a price of $1.51 a gallon which is well below what you are paying at the pump these days.
Among the financial challenges listed as “Normal” for 2017 were infrastructure needs, pension costs, equipment and insurance increases.
Branch County’s budget has increased by an average of 3.5 percent over the last five years.
Meanwhile, Commissioners voted 3-1 during their work session to bring forward to Tuesday’s meeting a proposal to put a $600,000 surplus from the delinquent tax revolving fund towards the county’s pension liability. Dale Swift cast the only no vote.
