CLAREMORE —
Budget cuts are expected as the Rogers County commissioners will meet Thursday to determine which areas will be cut to pay for funding for the E911 center.
Currently, the funding for the center is to be taken from the 911 fees collected by the county;, however this funding alone will not be enough to pay for the anticipated cost.
The commissioners met Monday and decided to postpone budget discussion after discussing the issue and questions regarding the proposed budget for the Rogers County Sheriff’s Officer were presented.
According to the commissioners, a reasonable discussion could not take place without all the department heads present to explain their proposed budgets.
One of the issues dealt with the funding needed for additional dispatchers to run the new E911 center after it opens.
Currently, the sheriff’s office pays for dispatching services out of multiple funds. The general fund is the only account that the commissioners can use to pay for those same positions at the new center.
The sheriff’s office will continue to receive the funding from other accounts including those derived from civil fees.
This fund will be allocated to pay for other costs associated with the operation of the Sheriff’s Office.
This is just one issue as the commissioners recently created a human resource department that will also need funding.
As a result of the new positions and departments, funding will be cut or reallocated from other departments to pay for the new departments.
It is unclear as to where the funding will be pulled from at this time.
The public meeting will be at 1 p.m. on Thursday in the commissioner’s meeting room at the courthouse.
Commissioners approved a measure to partially fund county operations to provide more time for the budget discussions.
Normally, county governments and municipalities are required by law to submit their annual budget by the first of July.
July marks the beginning of the fiscal year.
This may not be the case as county officials, push back a final budget once again this year.
In other business, the commissioners approved the disposal of a numerous pieces of outdated office equipment and two dump trucks from District 3 that are to be traded.
The Rogers County 8-year plan was approved for roads and bridges but has not been presented for public review.
Courthouse construction updates included an update of the conclusion of the fire proofing of the lower floors and upcoming elevator installation.
Crews expect the building to “dried in” soon and the big crane will be removed later this week.
Updates for the E91 center included vendor quote requests and an update of the proposed lagoon system for the facility.
Commissioner Mike Helm briefly discussed the county’s insurance policy.
Helm questioned a representative from Burrows Insurance Agency regarding insurance options that would be available for the county in situations like the recent inverse condemnation lawsuit with Material Services Corp.
The agent simply explained the county has no coverage for this type of lawsuit and that no options are available with the insurance company.
The meeting was then recessed after limited discussion to reconvene on Thursday.
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