By KEVIN LILLY
Pharos-Tribune staff writer
After the required second reading, the Cass County Council voted to adopt the 2008 budget Friday morning.
Although final figures won’t be released until next week, preliminary numbers indicate the council shaved nearly $300,000 from the proposed general operating budget.
The council was working off of the 2007 budget, which totaled nearly $12.4 million. At this point, the general fund is at $12.09 milion. During its first reading last week, the council approved cuts of about $284,000.
Cass County Auditor Dawn Conner said she would have to go back and calculate the changes made at Friday’s meeting.
Some departments saw significant cuts while others realized gains. Many county employees will receive raises ranging from 3 percent up to 10 percent. The county commissioners, county council and county attorney are slated to get 3 percent increases in salary. The jail nurse got a 5 percent raise.
The probation department got approval for $25,000 for a new vehicle.
The Cass County Highway Department saw a 26.91 percent increase in its operating budget. Cass County Engineer Jodi Coblentz is set to get a $14,036 raise because she also took on the role of highway director. The highway director’s salary of $34,233 was cut. The highway department also received approval for $75,000 for tractors.
The Cass County Sheriff’s Department saw a $105,000 cut for vehicles, which represents most of the money from that fund.
Cass County e911 received a $30,000 appropriation for computers and $10,000 for telephones. Director Lori Forrer is set to receive a 6 percent raise.
Cass Circuit Court received an additional $10,000 for its Court Appointed Special Advocates program to work with children in child welfare cases.
Some county positions were created, and others were dissolved.
The assessor’s office was denied a bid for a new deputy. The prosecutor’s office won approval for continuation of a prosecutor to handle minor felonies. The jail will get another corrections officer.
Kevin Lilly can be reached at (574) 732-5117, or via e-mail at kevin.lilly@pharostribune.com
Other significant cuts in 2008 budget after first reading:
• $18,000 for new full-time employee from clerk’s office
• $55,500 for office machines from treasurer’s office
• $10,000 for mental health exams from Cass Superior Court II
• $5,100 for law books from Cass Superior Court II
• $5,500 for supplies, fuel and maintenance from probation department
• $25,000 for program maintenance from IT/Data Process
• $30,000 for computer equipment from IT/Data Process
Source: Cass County Auditor’s Office
Local News
County adopts budget
Final figures to be released early next week.
- Local News
-
-
No jail for driver in fatal hit-and-run
A 25-year-old Logansport man admitted Thursday to leaving the scene of a deadly wreck last year, but he will not serve any time in jail as the result of a plea agreement.
-
Board backs 51 percent spike in utility rates
For Paul Hartman, the issue facing the Logansport Stormwater Management Board is pretty simple.
-
13-foot statue celebrating arts to stand in Logan
Logan’s Landing danced a little closer Thursday to sprucing up the downtown area and crafting the arts and design district it’s been longing to create.
-
Stormwater board OKs rate increase
The Logansport Stormwater Management Board this morning approved a 51 percent increase in its monthly rates.
-
LHS senior prank
As a senior prank, Logansport High School students moved the cow from in front of Happy Burger West to the Berry Bowl this morning. It was all in good fun, though. Bob Shanks, the owner of Happy Burger, was even on hand to pose for pictures.
-
‘It’s not about you’: Local mom shares journey of adopting foster children
Foster parenting isn’t always easy, says Juanita Jackson. Between caseworker visits and baby-sitting restrictions, the 42-year-old balances work and caring for five children as a single mom.
-
Longtime Lewis Cass teacher fired over license
Notwithstanding the impassioned pleas on Scott Rouch’s behalf, the Southeastern school board unanimously voted to cancel his teaching contract for “neglect of duty and other just causes.”
-
Jeremy Franklin charged with two felonies
A special prosecutor this week filed three charges, including two felony counts, against the son of the Logansport mayor.
-
Logan multiplex still in the works
Plans for a multiplex in Logansport are still in the works, but at least one city official hoped the process would move a bit quicker.
-
Ambulances moving: Hospital says change will save $200,000
Rural/Metro, Cass County’s newest ambulance service, told Logansport Memorial Hospital that it plans to move out of the ambulance garage at the end of its lease in September.
- More Local News Headlines
-
No jail for driver in fatal hit-and-run
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
