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
-
- Daddy/Daughter Valentine Dance
-
Victory worth celebrating: United Way raises more than $600,000 for area organizations
Joe Johnson stood at the front of the room where a “small army” of community leaders had just been recognized for their work in raising more than $600,000 for United Way of Cass County. “Woah,” said the incoming campaign chairman. “This is scary.”
-
Accused rapist charged with felony in Arizona
A Logansport man out on bail on multiple sex-related charges was arrested last week in Arizona after police say he tried to attack his dad with a pair of kitchen knives.
-
Jurors: Galveston man not guilty of molest
A jury took only an hour Wednesday to decide that a Galveston man was not guilty of molesting a 9-year-old girl a decade ago.
-
Sen. Head to run for re-election
State Sen. Randy Head announced Wednesday he will seek re-election.
-
Retired Navy chief, former judge announce bids for local office
A former Cass Superior Court judge and a retired senior chief with the Navy announced their candidacies for local seats Wednesday.
-
Snowless savings: Warm weather lowers expenses
The unseasonably warm temperatures have allowed state and local road crews to perform roadwork usually conducted in the fall, lowered Logansport Municipal Utilities electric usage and saved all departments overtime pay for employees.
-
Logansport sees jump in grad rate
Logansport High School saw its graduation rate jump four percentage points in numbers released this week by the Indiana Department of Education.
-
Officials break ground on $1.1M Eel River Run
Contractors are set to begin work on the mile-long Eel River Run trail in downtown Logansport — the result of more than eight years of planning.
-
Fifth candidate files for county council
A longtime Logansport Municipal Utilities worker and former business owner is the first Democrat to file for county office in the coming primary election.
- More Local News Headlines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
