Little fuss made over ‘12 budget

While expenses have been cut, they haven’t kept pace with the drop in revenues. The county anticipates just $13.38 in revenues for next year. That leaves just over a $400,000 shortfall in funds for next year.

However, the county has not used any of its $325,000 in contingency funds for this year. If that money can be applied to the shortfall and if departments can come in slightly under budget for 2011, then the county may not need to dip into its reserve funds to cover any 2012 expenses.

County leaders anticipate a reserve fund balance of $5 million at the end of this year. Local governments are encouraged to keep a minimum of 15 percent of their operating budget in reserves. If the county government does indeed have $5 million at the end of the year, it will have 36 percent of its operating budget in reserves.