COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Branch County Administrator Bud Norman presented the first draft of the county’s 2019 general fund budget during Friday’s Board of Commissioners work session which showed a smaller deficit than the one the county faced last year at this time.
There is about a $3.2 million deficit this time around compared to $4.3 million that was presented in the first draft last year.
At this point, the proposed budget has about $15.1 million in expenses and over $11.9 million in revenues.
Everything is an estimate right now. Norman pointed out the first draft is intended to present what the departments are requesting and he has not had a chance to meet with all of them. Many decisions still have to be made before the Commissioners adopt the budget in December.
He said health insurance costs remain a question mark.
Increased costs include supplies and uniforms, employee compensation, autopsies and transport as well as increased staffing.
He said there are three areas of savings thanks to the passage of the jail millage, 2019 being a non-election year and less expenses for Pines Behavior Health following their move last year.
Commissioners also agreed Friday to send a request from the Information Techonology Department for the reclassification of an employee to the Plans, Personnel and Policy Committee. IT Director Matt Fosdick is requesting that Brian Copp’s position within his department be evaluated for reclassification from hourly to a salary level that would be appropriate for his responsibility.
