CARROLL COUNTY (June 9) Fuel costs continue
to wreak havoc on governmental budgets.
Monday, Carroll County commissioners
approved year-end budget amendments which
included $60,000 for the extra cost of
gasoline and diesel.
County Mayor Kenny McBride said the $60,000
is just the latest of the amendments for
fuel. The total budget amendments for fuel
this fiscal year 2007-2008 is closer to
$80,000 to $100,000. That’s over three
percent of the revenue generated by the
local property taxes.
Commissioners also approved a continuing
resolution, which allows the county to
continue operating on the current budget
into the next fiscal year, which begins July
1.The county possibly will not have a new
budget until August or September, prior the
October 1 deadline. The mayor said every
county and municipality is suffering from
declining sales tax revenues and increasing
costs. In Carroll County, fuel costs greatly
impact the budgets of the school
transportation, highway department and
sheriff’s department. Carroll County is also
facing the loss of a grant to continue
Carroll Academy, which leases its school
space from the county.
Budget amendments at the Board of Education
included $40,000 in additional diesel fuel
expense and $28,535 for building
improvements. Budget amendments at the
Carroll County Library totaled $17,720.61,
including $10,930 for office equipment,
$3,300 for library books and other media,
and $2,100 for office supplies. The revenue
came from memorial donations, said Mc Bride.
The Carroll County Fire Department’s budget
was amended by $45,600, which including such
items as: $5,000 more in gasoline, $4,500 in
travel, $16,000 in vehicle maintenance,
$5,000 in communication equipment, and
$8,800 in other equipment.
A budget amendment for the Carroll County
Election Commission includes $1,773.08 to
reflect a state grant received.
The Solid Waste and Recycling
Department’s budget was amended $42,350. And
the Highway Department’s budget was amended
by $12,500 to cover extra fuel costs.
In other business, the county reappointed
Karen Burns, Geneva Johnson, and Johnny
Clement to the Carroll County Library Board.
Steve Cantrell was unanimously
reappointed county coroner for a two-year
term ending June 30, 2010.
Notaries approved include: Steven M.
Chadwick, Angela G. Hopper, Tammy L. Ward,
Neal Bartholomew, Bonnie M. Martin, Chuck
Sisson, Cheri Townes, and Carla R.
Pritchard.
Absent were commissioners Gaylon Sydnor,
John Mark Robinson, and LaRenda Scarbrough. |
The McKenzie Banner
