County Scratches to Find $2K in New Budget

An episode during the Fayette County Commissioners Court’s most recent deliberations over the 2021 Budget shows just how tight next year’s finances might be for the County.

Every year the Commissioners set aside money for several non-profit agencies that provide crucial services for the community, such as the Meals on Wheels program and agencies that provide support for abused children and spouses. Navidad Valley Community Connections (NVCC), a Schulenburg-based group that provides support and activities for local senior citizens, was among that group.

Last year, the County contributed $8,000 to NVCC. This year, NVCC asked the Commissioners to increase their funding to $12,000 to help refurbish the non-profit’s future meeting space, the Schulenburg Civic Center. NVCC recently worked out a deal with the City of Schulenburg to lease the Civic Center for a low monthly fee in exchange for the group making some needed upgrades and repair of the building.

“I don’t have a problem with it,” said County Judge Joe Weber. “They do a lot of good things for the seniors over there.”

After some debate, Commissioners decided to split the difference and set the group’s funding at $10,000 for 2021.

Most years, the $2,000 bump wouldn’t be a problem. But for next year’s proposed budget, projected revenue in the general fund exceeds expenses by only $661 - a pretty tight margin for a budget of over $17 million in the general fund.

County Auditor Kathy Kleiber told Commissioners they would have to cut about $1,500 elsewhere to cover the added expense.

“Well, I’d be willing to give up my laptop,” Weber said.

The proposed budget included a new laptop for the County Judge at a cost of $1,000.

“But you’re going to need that,” Kleiber said.

“No, I can continue to use my slide rule,” Weber said.

“No, I can find it somewhere (else),” Kleiber said.

Every year when formulating the budget numbers, Kleiber said she over-estimates expenses and under-estimates revenue.

“That way, we usually have a nice surprise at the end of the year,” she said.

Kleiber said she would find a way to cover the extra $2,000 for NVCC.