(Editors note: Texas County government has approved a general revenue budget exceeding $3 million. Here is County Clerk Don Troutman’s annual budget message.)
As county clerk, it is my duty to prepare the county’s annual budget message. The financial condition of the county has not improved over the previous year. The county ended 2008 with total revenues for the county general fund at $2,375,680.84 and total expenses at $2,375,064.67, which results in a positive figure of $616.17. The beginning balance for 2009 fiscal year is $244,276.15. This may seem like a large bank balance; however, the money needed for the monthly-approved expenditures for the 2009 fiscal year requires $255,480. The 2009 County Revenue Fund approved expenditure budget totals $3,065,760.05 compared to a 2008 County Revenue Fund approved expenditure budget of $3,128,346.32. The biggest difference is for election costs in the even numbered years. The federal government and state government need to start paying for their part of elections. As your county budget officer, it greatly concerns me that revenues are not keeping pace with expenditures.
Elected officials sought and secured state and federal grants when possible to improve services provided to the county’s residents. Budgets for offices and departments were reviewed and revised.
Elected officials, excluding those that are paid by the state or those that their wages are set by the state, will not see a wage adjustment this fiscal year. The prosecuting attorney, circuit clerk and associate circuit judge will receive increase wages over the 2008 fiscal year amounts. I believe the county salary commission should set the pay rate for county paid positions not the state. County employees were not afforded a wage increase for the 2009 fiscal year.
Effective law enforcement will again be a major concern in 2009. Domestic violence crimes as well as the war on methamphetamine are still major issues facing the sheriff and his deputies. The sheriff department’s fleet of vehicles has been upgraded during the past fiscal year. Since many calls are in rural parts of the county, replacement vehicles are four-wheel drive units. The county will continue buying used vehicles as needed. The cost of fuel continues to cause additional funding needs to the sheriff’s department. The sheriff’s department and the county jail will move into the new facility in February.
Revenues received from the new maintenance sales tax are placed in an interest bearing account and will be used this year at the new facilities for staffing, maintenance, repairs and upkeep. In talking to many other counties in the state that have recently constructed new jail facilities, they all caution me about being prepared for the cost it will take to run these new facilities. They are really surprised that our residents saw far enough in advance to see that funding will be available as needed. I supported the two sales tax issues in 2005, one tax for paying for a new facility and one tax for the staffing, maintenance, upkeep and repairs of the new facilities. As the budget officer, I will do my best to insure that the revenues approved by the voters are spent prudently. Interested residents that have questions regarding the details of the capital improvements projects and their budgets are invited to stop by my office.
With the passage of a new law in 2005, the office of township collector ended March 1, 2007. The treasurer-ex-officio collector’s title changed to collector-treasurer on that date also. The collector-treasurer collected all taxes excluding real and personal property taxes collected by city government. When the Missouri General Assembly approved this change in the law they also provided funding for the office. Therefore, the county will not have yet another unfunded mandate to contend with. A new remodeled office for the collector-treasurer will be completed in 2009. I encourage all taxpayers to make sure they complete and return their 2009 assessment list as soon as possible. Failure to file your assessment list in a timely fashion could cause penalties to be added to your tax bill. When returning your assessment list make sure names, addresses, legal descriptions, vehicles and other personal property is reported correctly. If done properly a taxpayer should avoid any delay at taxpaying time. Statements will be mailed to all taxpayers during October or early November. If all information is correct, I would encourage payment by mail this year, as this would make paying your taxes very easy and convenient. A paid receipt will be sent to you at no cost. If taxpayers decide to pay their taxes in person, be prepared to wait in line during the peak periods of the collection process.
I remind and encourage senior citizens to take advantage of the tax credit known as the “Circuit Breaker Law.” It is a sure thing that seniors can take advantage of to help reduce their property tax burden. The county assessor’s office can help in supplying the necessary paperwork for this tax credit.
I, along with other state and county election officials, will be requesting changes in the current state and federal laws dealing with the election process. The state and federal governments need to provide funding to the counties if they demand additional rules and regulations. Residents having questions regarding the election process are welcome to contact me.
The 2009 Texas County budget includes 40 different funds. As requested by the county officials that have various segregated funds, the county commission and I have allowed full use of available funds if requested. This type of budgeting has received criticism from the state auditor and uninformed residents. We have funds that are held in trust. Interest earned is distributed to the designated parties. These funds include the Hutchason Cemetery Fund and Garner Covert Memorial Fund. A listing of all funds, along with the 2009 appropriated amount, can be found on pages 4-a and 4-b of this year’s budget. Additionally, the county commission and I will be reviewing the budgets from the county habilitation board, county health board, county library and county law library when they are submitted. I believe that any and all public funds should have a budget and be accountable to the residents of the county. Some offices and departments have not submitted required budgets to the county commission or the county’s budget officer. As budget officer, I have no legal authority to require these budgets be completed. It is very disappointing that this simple task is not completed by a few.
As the county’s budget officer, I take the duties and responsibilities of this office very seriously and will continue to do my best for what I believe is the best for the county and its residents. During the year, if you have questions regarding the county’s operation, please contact me. It is a pleasure serving the residents of this county as a public official.
Respectfully submitted,
Donald R. Troutman
County Clerk and Budget Officer