Funding cuts impact JeffCo’s new budget

Court clerk, treasurer may lose personnel as state tightens belt

Jeff Kaley

WAURIKA — As they continue preparing a new fiscal year budget, the Jefferson County Commissioners have learned that cuts in state funding will have an impact on at least two county departments.

During a regular meeting Monday at the county courthouse, County Court Clerk Carolyn Watkins told the commissioners a cut in the budget of the Oklahoma Department of Justice will result in personnel and equipment cuts in her office.

A short time later, County Treasurer Vickie Behrens said a decline in the budget of the Oklahoma State Auditor’s Office could also result in personnel adjustments in her office.

“I wanted to put you (the commissioners) on notice that I will be losing two deputies due to state budget cuts, and I’ll also be losing funds for postage equipment and copy machines,” Watkins said, noting that the state’s Administrative Office of the Courts will be cutting 23 employees across the state.

Watkins added that the state will continue to provide funds to pay utilities for her office.

Behrens said the State Auditor’s Office is cutting $9,600 from her resale budget for fiscal year 2009-10, which would make it difficult for her to pay a first deputy’s salary.

With the commissioners in the process of creating the FY ’09-10 budget, the two county officers wanted the county’s top administrators to consider those state cuts as they formulate a new budget.

“It’s good to have the heads-up about (the state cuts),” Commission Chair Billy Kidd said. “But when we figure the new budget, we’re going to have to find areas to cut money to cover those losses.

“I’m not sure how we’ll fix it. It seems like every time we take steps to get money for one thing, we lose it somewhere else.”

Addressing another agenda item tied to the FY ’09-10 budget, the commissioners voted unanimously to approve where to place funds created by interest earned in the highway fund.

In the past few years, those interest earned funds went into the accounts of the three districts. However, the commissioners agreed that in FY ’09-10, those funds, which will be over $7,000, should go into the County General Fund.

With the end of fiscal year 2008-09 approaching, the commissioners also took measures to make sure the County General Fund (20R2) could cover expenses for the remainder of the fiscal year. They consented to making transfers from four offices and the Health Insurance Fund that totaled $5,960.

The transfers into account 20R2 were: $700 from the treasurer’s Personal Services account and $60 from the treasurer’s Maintenance & Operations account; $300 from the county assessor’s personal services account; $700 from the County Clerk Personal Services account; and $4,200 from the Health Insurance account.

In other action, the commissioners approved:

• A resolution regarding the deductible for liability insurance on county equipment and vehicles. The county chiefs agreed each district would contribute to a total payment of $10,000, but in the future, when a district makes use of the insurance deductible, it will be responsible for repayment.

• An agreement between the commissioners and the Town of Sugden, by which the community has access to county equipment for projects.

• An agreement with the Oklahoma Juvenile Justice Service to place juvenile offenders from the county at the Garfield County Detention Center.

• A Monroe adding machine, purchased in 1986 for $149 and used in the treasurer’s office, being declared junk.

• A 1995 IBM Wheelwriter 3500 typewriter, purchased by District 3 in 1995 at a cost of $922, being declared junk.

• Having each commissioner sign an application for the county to obtain a VISA credit card through Arvest Bank of Duncan, which will be used by the county sheriff’s department.

• A reimbursement of $17.70 to General Fund account 14J1A for a premium overpayment to the Oklahoma State and Education Employees Group Insurance Board.

• A transfer in the General Fund of $175 for the assessor’s office, moving the funds from account 16H1A personal services to 16H2-Maintenance & Operations.

• Minutes from a June 15 regular meeting.

• Claims and authorization of blanket purchase orders.

Early in the meeting, the commissioners received no bids for purchase of used diesel tanks in District 2.

The commissioners heard a report from Glenda Wilborn, deputy county clerk, on making a change in unemployment insurance, but took no action was required.

They tabled an item calling for each commissioner to appoint a citizen to represent their district on an Enhanced 911 study committee, and no action was taken on capitol improvement plans for each of the district. Because county engineer Clark Mitchell was absent, there was no discussion on the commissioners’ five-year bridge project plan.

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