County Budget Hitting Its Mark

Crawford County has brought in more income and spent fewer expenses than projected through the first quarter — posting a strong start to the fiscal year.

Through April 17, the fiscal year was 29.3 percent complete. Income is at 38.2 percent of projected levels and expenses are at 27.9 percent. 

County Clerk John Martin on Tuesday provided the quarterly review. 

The county has collected $697,287.31 in tax revenue of a projected $1.4 million. Eight-seven percent of property tax revenue has been collected.

“Next year, that number will be much smaller,” said Martin, referring to the recent sales tax increase and property tax rollback. The county will still collect back taxes. 

Already, more than 80 percent of the budget has been spent on office equipment and technology, which Martin wasn’t happy with.

The clerk believes that certain offices have let leases expire on equipment like copiers and printers. Martin said when a machine runs out of toner, it has to be replaced, but if that office has a lease, materials are included. Any repairs also are factored into the lease.

District 2 Commissioner Jared Boast asked if the county has looked into a lease larger in scope that would cover all offices, but Martin said each office has a different setup. 

Autopsies are way up. The county has spent $15,989.74 — 61.3 percent of its alloted budget — on autopsies and commissioners were informed last year the cost would increase. 

Vehicle expenses have been down. In its fuel budget, the county has spent $7,067.89 — 17.8 percent of the budgeted amount. Repairs and maintenance have been an issue in the past, but through the first quarter only 26 percent of the budgeted amount has been spent.

General liability and worker’s compensation have not been spent, though that will eventually change. The county was told to expect a 20 percent increase.

Commissioners were warned about trials eating up a bigger chunk of the budget this year. Sixteen were scheduled, but Martin said that number is down to nine. Still, the county has spent 54.7 percent of the budgeted amount.