Perry County begins budget preparations

County Clerk Josh Gross handed out the first draft of the 2015 budget to members of the Perry County Board. He asked the board to work on the budget over the next two weeks.

All of the general fund accounts have been completed, however Gross did not have budgets from some boards which make their own and have not met yet this month.

The new fiscal year begins Dec. 1 and the budget must be placed on filed for 15 days prior to adoption.

Gross said, per usual, the tentative budget shows a deficit. The beginning deficit is approximately $300,000.

Gross said there is little "fluff" in any budget and absolutely none in some. Most of the small increases in office holder budgets reflect salary increases.

Commissioner Sam Robb asked that the board be given a list of each employee and their salary and that office holders estimate overtime expenses for the coming year.

He also suggested the board create a policy requiring approval of large purchases of goods or services so that the county could better manage their assets by choosing when such expenses occur.

In the past, there have been a number of large expenses all at once which has caused cash flow problems.

Gross said he would get the ball rolling on the salary list immediately.

In other business, the board:

• approved the annual renewal of liability and worker's compensation insurance. Robb said worker's compensation will cost $33,000 more than this year, due largely to the number of claims filed, and liability insurance will cost $17,000 less than this year. The county budgeted $533,529 for the two insurances in 2014.

• passed a resolution adopting job descriptions for appointed department heads. The descriptions will be included in the policy and procedure manual which is not yet complete. Office holders will be given a copy of the job descriptions for their use. Robb said he would like to see a similar job description for every position in the county.

• heard from County Gross that he has completed a new time-off tracking system and designed a document for office holders to use. He suggested the board allow office holders to submit their time-off information for 2014 as usual in November. The new system could take effect Dec. 1. Office holders who already have a form will continue to use the one they created.

• heard from Gross that 200 mail ballots have been sent and 49 people have come in to vote since voting began Sept. 25.

• approved Family Medical Leave for an employee. FMLA will keep his job open and allow him to keep his insurance while he recovers.

• approved raffle licenses for Perry County Humane Society, Du Quoin High School Booster Club and Pinckneyville High school Junior Class.

• approved conveyance of county-owned property to Brian R. Thies.

The next Perry County Board meeting is Oct. 16 at 2 p.m.