Montmorency approves budget; future of full-time jobs uncertain

Steve Schulwitz

The Montmorency County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to accept its 2009 budget. It must now hold an open public meeting to outline it for the public and have it printed in the local newspaper before it can make amendments to it.

The meeting will be at the next board meeting Sept. 24.

The projected year-end balance will be in the black, but not to the point where the board can avoid cutting 10 full-time county jobs with benefits.

"This is not funny," Chairman Roger Frye said. "If we would have started to make some cuts last year, it wouldn't be as hard as it is going to be."

"I think that the sooner that we start making cuts, the easier it's going to be." commissioner Gene Thorton said. "About 80 percent of our budget is wages and benefits."

In other business:

• The commissioners presented certificates of appreciation to three parties: the Worsley family made a donation of a portable walker to the courthouse in memory of Nellie Worsley. The other plaques were presented to the Montmorency Commission on Aging and the Elk Country Animal Shelter for wheelchairs they donated to the courthouse.

• The board voted 5-0 to approve the purchase of an 10 x 16 storage shed from North Star Storage Barns for $1,875.

• The board is going to look for another quote for repairs to be made to the courthouse elevator shaft. The state requires elevators cannot have a gap larger than one inch, but the courthouse's is beyond the state's mandated measurements.

• The board tabled a proposed $25 charge for use of a conference room at the courthouse.

• Commissioner Paul Wingate is going to get two price quotes to replace a section of carpeting with tile at the courthouse.

• A meeting is going to be set up with a representative of each township in Montmorency County to discuss a possible ordinance to regulate the off-road recreational vehicle issue. Attorney Bryan Graham submitted a draft of a possible ordinance that may be feasible to the townships, the county and the road commission.

• Chairman Frye accepted a three-year term for a position at Northeastern Mental Health.

• Sheriff Doug Baum and Prosecuting Attorney Terrie Case addressed the board about the need to add a detective to help investigate the growing number of crimes in the county.

Steve Schulwitz can be reached via e-mail at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5689.