COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Branch County Administrator Bud Norman presented a first draft of the county’s 2018 general fund budget last Thursday to the county Board of Commissioners, and it showed a deficit of $4.3 million.
The proposed budget, based on departmental budget hearings, has just under $16.6 million in expenses and over $12.3 in revenues.
Last Thursday’s first draft was the first of several before the budget is balanced.
Norman said the deficit is less then when the first draft was presented over the last couple of years. The first draft deficit was $5.3 million two years ago and $4.8 million last year.
He said among the challenges the county faces are insurance costs, reliance on other revenue streams, staffing, equipment and training.
