Commissioners amend present budget to cover $260,999 in additional spending

The Nodaway County Commission amended the 2017 budget to allow for the additional spending of $260,999.50 during a budget hearing on December 22.

Among over-spent funds, the commissioners purchased road rock for an additional $117,492 over the budgeted amount in 2017.

The additional funds came from the 1/2 cent capital improvement tax on sales tax. When the commissioners received the rock bids this year, they decided to use the revenue they already had to cover more miles for the county.

Other items that were amended included several categories pertaining to the county jail. The original budget was created using staff numbers that have since changed. When the budget was created, the jail was not running at full capacity and was understaffed. As Randy Strong took the position of sheriff, he hired personnel to fully staff the facility, which caused $67,000 in expenditures over the budget.

The jail’s cleaning supplies line item was $1,050 over budget due to the purchase of a dishwasher. The board of prisoners category, or the cost of boarding prisoners at another facility, was over budget by $2,500. Staff stated that this item is hard to estimate as they do not know how many inmates will need to be housed at other facilities, due to the local jail being at capacity or other conflicts, nor do they know how much other facilities will charge.

The common school fine and forfeitures category was adjusted by $35,000. This category is the collection of fines and fees from the court system which is then distributed to county school districts based on student enrollment.

The treasurer’s health category and health insurance adjustments totaled a little more than $29,000. The adjustment transferred monies in-house from one fund to another to cover bills.

Indigent fees were over budget by $3,500. Staff stated there were more indigent individuals, or people who cannot care for themselves, who came into the county this year than estimated.

The DWI treatment court program was instigated in 2017 and was not part of the original budget, accounting for $4,250 in adjustments.

In addition, there was a $900 contract with Homeland Security that was not in the 2017 figures.