Avoiding dipping into reserves and holding the line on spending will be the themes of Monroe County’s budget next year.
Monroe County is beginning to look at its 2014 budget, though some 2013 budget issues should be considered as the county plans, said Monroe County Auditor Steve Saulter. In June, the county’s general fund balance dipped below $200,000 before the $8.8 million property tax settlement was deposited.
Though the county still had plenty of money, as there is about $7 million in reserves, it could have produced a slight cash-flow problem, Saulter said.
Part of the problem was caused by the county option income tax revenues being removed from the county general fund and placed into their own budget line.
Also, the Monroe County Council recently approved several one-time expenditures, including $1.8 million for the 911 dispatch center and $250,000 on a planning consultant.
The county should not have a problem paying for expenditures, but could have to use some of its reserves for some of them, according to Geoff McKim, president of the Monroe County Council.
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