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County Administrator John McCarthy said he would have some changes in the budget to recommend. He said he would like the supervisors to increase the salary for the gypsy moth coordinator by $850. He said three people expressed interest in the job, but none were willing to work for the budgeted amount of $6,500.
He said he would also recommend increases for advertising and travel allowances to reflect this year's experience. Paying more for employees’ health insurance wouldn’t draw out of surplus “if we don’t have to borrow $100,000,” he said.
Mr. McCarthy noted that the 75cent tax rate included three cents to recover the $100,000 the county might have to borrow to get through the fiscal year. If the county can get through the year without borrowing, he suggested, the tax rate could be cut two cents, and the extra cent could pay for increased health insurance and the other increases he would recommend.
The administrator told the board he also had at least one decrease in the budget to recommend. Thanks to the work of the county’s insurance consultant, the county will double its liability insurance and save over $2,000 from the amount paid this year, Mr. McCarthy said.
Mrs. Ralph pointed out that teachers are getting an eight percent increase, and “the teachers get that the whole year.” The approximately five and a half percent increase for county employees comes “half in July and half in January. You're comparing apples and oranges.”
"I don’t want to seem to be arguing," Sheriff Woodward said. “I had enough in my budget for the increase, but it was cut to $850. Since Wally’s not here (accountant Wally Cox), I’ll blame him. I did ask for enough. My lieutenant will get a $5 raise, but since he’s got a family policy, he won’t get that.”
Stonewall-Hawthorn representative Robert Anderson commented, “At this rate practically everyone will take a pay cut.”
“That’s not their fault, and it’s not ours,” Mr. Estes said. “I’d much prefer to do this on a dollar basis.”
With Mr. Estes’ urging, the constitutional officers and employees in attendance agreed that they would settle for the county funding dollar amount next year as this for their insurance, even if it isn’t 100 percent paid.
“This is w hy we need to increase the tax base,” Col. Bingham said. "Our goal should be to fund 100 percent for everybody. It’s a big drawing card.”
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