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  • Concerned citizens, including Alger Flood, attended Monday’s meeting. Flood came to the meeting not only to question the commissioners but to remind them as noted on his T-shirt, that “you work for me.” Salesha Wilken

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September 18, 2012

Balanced budget builds barriers

Reserved funds reduced, used to fill shortage

Salesha Wilken Staff Reporter

CLAREMORE — Rogers County commissioners balanced its budget Monday; but at a cost, as approximately $328,000 is taken from reserves to bring the budget in line.

Now, the county will be facing a potential for a $2 million shortfall in June 2013, and a lot of “if’s” that could accompany the issue.
The commissioners used the $1.2 million carryover that departments had left during the last fiscal year, along with reducing county reserves from 10 percent down to only 5 percent.
Commissioner Mike Helm has consistently claimed the budget issues were due to building the new courthouse,  but reports show the addition of multiple departments is what is taking a toll on the bottom line.
The ball is rolling, as the Rogers County Excise Board will have the final say during their upcoming meeting.
It is likely that a special meeting will be called to review the budget, but just as likely that the board will approve the budget as submitted, according to County Clerk Peggy Armstrong.
Armstrong saidd that in her time working for the county the excise board has always approved the commissioner’s budget as submitted.
To balance the budget, $328,000 of the reserve fund was added back into the figures to cover expenses.
This decision came after the District Attorney’s office determined that Helm’s option to pay for the sheriff’s vehicles from T-Highway funds would not be permitted under statute. 
“All three of us received legal opinion,” Helm said. “We got the legal opinion that we could not do it out of T-Highway. The only way we could do the sheriff’s cars is to figure the budget at 95 percent.”
This decision resulted in the use of reserve funds to balance the budget adding to the potential shortfall for the next fiscal year.
This option balances the budget and brings $140,000 back into the general fund, Helm said.
The sheriff’s cars that were the focus of the budget will be a re-occurring expense as it is a 3-year purchase agreement.  Next year,  commissioners will have to once again find room for this expense.
The argument was that the sheriff’s office needs new vehicles to avoid liability because the cars are worn out, according to John Sappington.  None of the commissioners voiced an issue with buying cars; it was an issue of the budget as a whole.
Helm placed the focus on the cars and public safety but no discussion was made concerning the more than $500,000 in expenses for new departments.
“We will need at least $1 million in carryover to make our budget next year without anyone having to make any cuts,” CPA Bill Turner said.
This is relative to revenues for the current fiscal year and the amount of money that will be saved in each department.
“I have had concerns about this, I have from the beginning with taking away the carry over,” DeLozier said. “Next year, we are going to start out with carryover next year, unless the departments do not use their entire budget.”
“From what we are seeing, next year we are not going to have any choice but to cut,” DeLozier said.
County Assessor Scott Marsh spoke to make sure the commissioners were aware of additional revenue issues that could be facing the county.
“I don’t like to get in the what if’s but we do have a vote to change a cap on homestead and agricultural properties,” Marsh said. “If that passes, you could see a cut in revenue as well.”
“I think we need to go back and look and cut everything we can cut.” DeLozier said. “There is so much we can spend and without saving we are going to be in trouble.”
Commissioner Kirt Thacker also questioned the expenses, suggesting that a portion of the budget be cut over the next four years.
Ultimately, Helm and Thacker voted to support the balanced budget.
DeLozier did not support the budget and voted against the measure.
Public comments were extensive as a number of citizens not only voiced concerns about the budget, but the way business is conducted.
The commissioners were questioned about a plan for the future of the county.
Helm’s response was limited to the energy savings that new courthouse could supply.
“This is the fastest county in the state and there are growing pains,” Helm said.
“Our plan, as far as I am concerned, is to pinch every penny we can,” DeLozier said.
Thacker said, “County government does a great job of stretching pennies, and elected officials will continue to do a good job of doing so.”
Thacker also continued to say, “I have no concerns” that the citizens will continue to support the county with the renewal of the one-cent sales tax.
“I am very disappointed that there were not questions permitted of additional details that were provided on the budget,” said Andrea Feedback.
“I believe that questions are healthy, the more information you have the better the decisions you can make,” Alger Flood said.
Flood addressed an issue that happened during the last meeting when Helm refused to take questions from the Claremore Progress.
The citizens voiced concerns about the commissioner’s willingness to accept public feedback.

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