Local News - June 2002

County passes $76.1 million budget

By ALICE SMITH, LTN Staff Writer

June 5, 2002 - The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners Monday voted unanimously to pass the proposed $76.15 million 2002-2003 budget.

The total net budget after transfers is $70.28 million, which is a $1.64 million increase over the 2001-2002 budget.

The general fund budget totals $59.95 million — an $847,962 or 1 percent increase over last year’s.

The budget maintains the current tax rate of $.62 per $100 and provides a 2.5 percent pay raises to county employees.

The budget, which allocates about $10.64 million for school current expenses, came under scrutiny by some residents.

Before opening the public hearing, Commission Chairman Jerry Cochrane gave background information on school funding and compared past budgets to the proposed 2002-2003 budget.

The coming year’s school budget includes an 8.6 percent increase, or $840,000, over the 2001-2002 budget, which was an increase of 7 percent over the 2000-2001 budget.

“This is a fairly substantial increase,” Cochrane said, “particularly when looking at the financial situation that state and county governments find themselves in.”

Commissioners commended County Manager Stan Kiser for his work on the budget, specifically for not raising taxes this year.

“I’m thankful we were able to bring it in at the same rate as last year,” Commissioner Larry Craig said.

School officials present at the meeting thanked commissioners, but also expressed the needs that the schools are still facing.

Superintendent Jim Watson said he appreciated the willingness of the commissioners and the board of education to work together.

Watson said he was disappointed that the fourth step of the four-year funding plan adopted in 1997 could not be funded this year.

“The needs don’t go away,” Watson said. “We look forward to working together to make Lincoln County the best it can be.”

School board member Fred Jarrett said children in Lincoln deserve a quality education.

“The production and consumption of education is vital to the survival and progression of Lincoln county,” Jarrett said.

Two residents spoke adamantly against the proposed budget.

Betty Lawing questioned commissioners’ motives and actions.

“What has happened?” Lawing said. “Do you think the schools need less? I don’t.”

Lawing also pointed out the absence of community speakers, school board members and the school board chairwoman.

“Are politics coming into play?” Lawing said. “It appears education is not your top priority.”

Robin Brown, a former school board member, said she was distressed.

“The school board needs to be asked to reevaluate the budget and bring it back,” said Brown, who has filed to run for the school board.

Brown said it needed to be decided “who is needy and who is greedy.”

“Determine what is best for the children,” Brown said.

Cochrane defended the board’s position on the budget, and said the majority of the people in the community did not want to raise taxes.

“I’ll do everything I can do to make sure this year is fully funded,” Cochrane said.

County Ranger Elizabeth Snyder told the board not to forget about the smaller departments in the county.

“In the general scheme of things, our department is small potatoes,” Snyder said. “But there are needs unmet.”

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

Terms and Conditions