County's finances in good shape
Sean HarkinsSo far so good for Alpena County's finances.
During Wednesday's Alpena County Finance Committee meeting, Treasurer Joelyn McCallum gave a positive second quarter report.
"You do have a balanced budget," McCallum said. "Everything looks fine."
She reported that midway through the year expenses were at 50 percent of budget projections - exactly where they should be.
In the same period, the county had only brought in a little over 28 percent of projected revenue, but McCallum said that should be fixed with summer tax collections during the second half of the year.
"Starting mid July through Sept. 30 (more revenue comes in)," she said.
The committee approved budget amendments to lower projected revenues and expenses by over $54,214 and $17,632, respectively. The changes left the budget balanced, with revenues and expenses projected to be $8,716,641.
The balanced but tight budget was also the reason finance committee Chairman Gerald Fournier told Probate Judge Thomas LaCross a furniture purchase will have to wait until next year.
LaCross had been spoken to the committee about the office furniture in the past, and had a quote of $6,300.
"Right now judge, we don't have the money to do this," Fournier said.
Last month the county spent over $16,000 from its contingency fund to pay for the sheriff department to house inmates out of the county, and Fournier said the remaining money in the fund needs to be managed carefully.
"We've got $48,000 left in the contingency and it has to last until Jan. 1," Fournier said, adding he saw the need for the furniture, but would prefer it to be budgeted next year instead of coming from the contingency.
In other business;
- The committee recommended the building and maintenance department work on the sprinkler system in the jail and have any work they couldn't do be done by a company specializing in the work.
Undersheriff Terry King said a private inspection was done of the system and several problems were identified. A quote of $3,175 was received, and the committee approved paying up to that amount for the repairs but hoped having building and maintenance do some of the work would significantly cut the cost.
"This is something that needs to be addressed, this cannot go anywhere," board member Lyle VanWormer said.
- The committee also gave County Coordinator Jeff Thornton approval to continue the appeal process for a sidewalk assessment from the City of Alpena for Northern Lights Arena.
Committee members said because the sidewalk goes to the arena's second driveway and then ends, it is both too long and not serving the public.
Sean Harkins can be reached via e-mail at sharkins@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5688.
