County faces harsh economic realities

Janet Morales

While it wasn’t exactly a march on Jefferson City, county commissioners from across the state expressed their displeasure over budget issues in visits with their elected officials as they gathered for their 27^th annual training session in the state’s capital.

Among those commissioners presenting their concerns were those from Randolph County: Susan Carter, presiding commissioner; Randy Asbury, commissioner for the western district of Randolph County; and Wayne Wilcox, eastern district commissioner.

The “theme” of the meeting was do no harm, said Carter.

“Harm is being done to counties with the increase of unfunded mandates,” said Carter.

Some of the top areas in which Randolph County feels the “harm” are the 9-1-1 system, prisoner per diem reimbursement and maintenance of the county assessor’s office.

In this area, 9-1-1 is funded through fees on telephones. However, this fee is not levied against cell phones. This has become a major economic difficulty as fewer residents have land lines and a large majority of 9-1-1 calls come from cell phones. It is a necessary service for state residents but efforts to increase funding have been thwarted at each attempt.

Another area of hardship is the reimbursement the county receives for housing prisoners. Currently, Randolph County receives $22.50 per diem reimbursement, about half of the minimum cost to house a prisoner, according to Asbury. The statutory limit the state is allowed to reimburse is $37 but Randolph County is obviously well below that level.

The assessor’s office is under fire, as well. A fee is paid to the assessor to maintain his office. The statutory minimum is $3 with the maximum at $7. Randolph County had been receiving $6 but is now getting $4.

“The assessor’s office is self-sustaining at this point,” said Asbury. “Nothing from the General Revenue fund is spent for that office. But as the state continues to make cuts, counties will be forced to go to General Revenue. That won’t happen here for approximately three years. But if cuts continue, it could have dramatic implications for the county.”

Unfunded and underfunded mandates have coupled with a loss of revenue to dramatically put an end to the rise in the black bottom line the county has nursed along the past few years. After deficits of over $700,000 just a few short years ago, the commission made cuts that allowed them to do more for their employees and departments. And halfway through 2009, the county was still ahead of the year before. But then the county economy, along with that of the rest of the nation, dropped into recession, leaving the county with $124 at the end of the year.

Carter said in October they were notified health care costs (insurance) would increase 16 percent, an increase of $80,000. Carter said they had to downsize the plan and couldn’t give raises to offset the cost hike.

Things will be more grim this year, according to the presiding commissioner. The county faces an increase in worker’s compensation costs and a rise in the supplemental payments for the Justice Center. Last year’s payment was $184,000. They have budgeted $293,000 for this year.

“And it’s an election year,” said Carter. “That brings a lot of additional expenses for the city clerk’s office.”

Things could be worse.

“We have $345,000 in reserves,” said Carter. “We haven’t had that in a number of years. But a county our size should have $800,000 [in reserves].”

Commissioner Wilcox said the county has the option to charge the Road and Bridge fund an administrative fee up to five percent of expenses to enhance the general revenue fund. Also, in prior years monies had been budgeted into a building fund and a capital improvement fund. These funds could be used for general revenue expenses, if needed.

“We are fortunate to have the great working relationship with our elected officials that we do,” said Asbury.

Carter pointed to a case in Lincoln County where the county cut back in various departments because of falling revenues. The county amended the budget and the sheriff sued. State statute doesn’t allow it, she said. That case led to legislation to allow commissions to “budget down”.

“We’re the only government entity not allowed to budget down,” said Wilcox.

“We have such a great working relationship with our department heads,” said Carter. “If we had that situation everyone would step up to make adjustments. A lot of counties are not blessed with the relationships that exist in Randolph County. It is rare and most welcome to have those kinds of county officials. We’re lucky.”