Proposed County Budget Approved in 3-2 Vote
Fayette County Commissioners Court approved the proposed budget for next year with a split 3-2 vote last Thursday, Aug. 10. Pct. 1 Commissioner Jason McBroom and Pct. 3 Commissioner Harvey Berckenhoff cast the opposing votes.
Before the discussions began, Plum resident William Bernsen criticized the recent budget proceedings during the public comment period.
“I was here for the budget last year,” Bernsen said. “Comparing that to this year, I have to say there was a lot more discussion last year and a lot more openness. The budget process I think got started a little bit sooner. Comparing that to this year, and I’ve been to all the budget workshops this year, the conversations have been a lot shorter. There hasn’t been nearly as much conversation. There hasn’t been nearly as much transparency.
“Our government is proposing to spend $2.8 million more this year than last year, and that’s a 10.3 percent increase,” Bernsen added. “That’s a bigger increase than we’ve seen in the 12 years I looked at.”
At that point, County Judge Dan Mueller interrupted Bernsen, saying, “I want you to wrap it up in 30 seconds.”
Bernsen had spoken for less than three minutes.
“Uh, ok, but as far as I knew the court allows me five minutes to speak,” Bernsen said.
Mueller said his five minutes were almost up. Bernsen went on to criticize the deficit and the proposal to give some employees raises of 10 percent or even higher while other employees will get a five percent raise.
“I don’t think these revenue and expenses are sustainable,” Bernsen said.
The budget as initially presented at the meeting Thursday included a deficit of $453,000 in the general fund. State law prohibits counties from adopting a budget with a deficit in the general fund. The Commissioners spent about two hours adjusting the numbers to bring the budget into the black.
“What’s the fix?” asked Pct. 2 Commissioner Luke Sternadel.
“Like Judge Weber used to say, we’ve got to tighten up,” McBroom said, referring to former County Judge Joe Weber.
McBroom asked Sheriff Keith Korenek if he would be willing to transfer the expense for several new patrol vehicles from the general fund to the Sheriff’s forfeiture fund. The vehicles are estimated to cost $237,500.
“If that can help get us the raises we need for our people, we would be more than happy to do that,” Korenek said.
In addition, the County learned recently that the Sheriff’s Office could be eligible to receive a $350,000 grant through recent legislation, Senate Bill 22, that can be used to pay for salaries for law enforcement officers. SB 22 could also provide additional funding for constables and the district attorney’s office. Commissioners Court agreed to add $350,000 in grant revenue from SB 22 into the Sheriff’s budget.
The Court found additional savings by removing expenses for a position that is no longer needed. This year Angela Hahn moved from her job as the County’s grant specialist to Emergency Management Coordinator, although she continues to oversee the County’s grant procurement activities. The budget as initially presented included $85,000 in salary and benefit expenses for the grant specialist position. Commissioners agreed to remove those expenses.
EMS Director Josh Vandever said the budget as presented did not include any revenue for the sale of the old EMS station in Schulenburg. The County recently built a new EMS station in Schulenburg. Pct. 4 Commissioner Drew Brossmann said the old station will soon be listed for sale with an asking price of $220,000. County Judge Dan Mueller said he expected the property to sell for at least that amount. Commissioners agreed to adding $180,000 in revenue as a conservative estimate of the property’s sale price.
“Even though we’re putting that down for revenue, we’re not going to sell it for that,” McBroom said. “We’re going to hold off for as much money as possible.”
Moreover, Mueller said a private citizen has approached him about making a substantial donation to the EMS and the Sheriff’s Office. Mueller said the potential donor wants to remain anonymous for now. He said the donation could be used to pay for a new ambulance that is included in the proposed budget. The County budgeted $280,000 for the new ambulance. Commissioners did not include the potential donation as revenue in the budget. Nor did they remove the expense for the ambulance. However, if the donation comes through, the County could end next year with an even larger surplus.
The Court faced a question from Bernsen regarding the proposed salary for Sheriff Korenek. The budget presented last Thursday included a $15,008.47 increase in the Sheriff’s salary, bringing his total salary to $95,172 and equal to that of the EMS DIrector.
“I would like to know why the Sheriff’s salary is proposed $15,000 higher this week than last week,” said Bernsen. “It’s a very large increase.”
Most other elected officials are set to receive a five percent raise. The Sheriff’s raise amounts to 31.3 percent above his current base salary of $72,460.50.
Mueller asked Court Administrator Cassie Austin to explain why the change was made.
“The last time we met, it was just based on the five percent and we had not talked about SB 22 yet,,” Austin said. “When that came to light, we took the opportunity to raise the proposed salary for those spots.”
The Pct. 1 Constable and Pct. 2 Constable would each receive a $10,000 raise contingent on funding from SB 22 as well. Those two constables perform courthouse security and traffic patrol duties for the County in addition to their statutory duties as constables. SB 22 funding for constables is only available to constables who perform vehicle stops. The Pct. 3 and Pct. 4 Constables do not routinely work traffic patrol, so they would not qualify for the grant funding.
SB 22 stipulates a minimum salary of $75,000 for the County Sheriff. A five percent raise would bring Korenek’s base salary to $76,083.53. Korenek also earns an additional $4,080 annually in stipends for certifications that he holds.
“Whoaddedthe$15,000?” asked Berckenhoff.
“I would love a $15,000 raise, too, but I can’t justify that for myself,” McBroom said.
“You could if you were getting that Senate Bill money,” Korenek said.
“Honestly, if that came about, I would turn around and put it in equipment for my guys or I would give it to my guys,” McBroom said. “The whole thing has been we can’t get people to work here, and that’s not helping the people on the bottom. I apologize, it’s just a very big increase.”
McBroom suggested using the SB 22 money for equipment.
“It can be used for equipment, it can be used for upgrades,” McBroom said. “It doesn’t all have to be used for salaries. The problem with salaries is they are perpetual. They go on forever. If we can’t afford them, we have to cut. And I don’t want to cut.”
“Have you looked at what the (police) chiefs in our County make?” asked Lt. David Beyer of the Sheriff’s Office. “Look at it one time. Our Sheriff is below what the chiefs are making. And he runs the entire County, the dispatch, our jail. I would think you would be proud for him to get this money.”
McBroom said he compared the salaries of elected officials in Fayette County to the surrounding counties, and he said Fayette County’s salaries were in-line with the neighbors.
“The only other Sheriff around us that makes more is Washington County,” Mc-Broom said. “I think that amount is $88,000 this year.”
“What’s wrong with us leading a little bit?” Beyer asked. “Our deputies do a great job. Look at the arrests we make and what they’re doing to protect the citizens. A big portion of that is leadership.”
McBroom said he does not oppose a raise for deputies.
“I’m not against a five percent raise (for the Sheriff) like all other elected officials,” McBroom said. “I have to justify it to the public.”
“So when Senate Bill 22 comes in, everyone gets a raise except the leader, is that what you’re saying?” Korenek asked.
McBroom said the budget includes a seven percent raise for deputies, regardless of whether the County receives money from SB 22.
Berckenhoff asked again who added the $15,000 raise for the Sheriff.
“The answer is Mrs. Havelka plugged it in,” Mueller said.
“I plugged it in based on other salaries because I was approached,” said County Auditor Cindy Havelka.
“It matches the EMS Director’s salary,” Bernsen said.
“Just a comment.”
“Correct, and we both have basically the same services – protecting the citizens of the County,” Korenek said.
When the salaries for elected officials came up for a vote, the Court approved the salaries as proposed by a vote of 4-1 with McBroom opposed. The proposed salaries appear on page A7.
Berckenhoff questioned the salary schedule proposed by the EMS Department. EMS Director Josh Vandever proposed a new salary schedule with raises ranging between five and 11-plus percent. Vandever would receive a 10 percent raise as EMS Director under his proposal..
“I think seven and five is sufficient for that department,” Berckenhoff said. “They can ask for a few more cents next year. I don’t like the ten percent.”
Paula Vogel of the County Auditor’s office said the raises for EMS would average around nine percent for the entire department.
“I agree with you, Harvey,” McBroom said. “We did five percent last year, and now 10 percent, that’s a 15 percent raise. I’m OK with giving them an overall seven percent raise like the Sheriff’s Office. It’s a harder job to find people. But we’ve got to watch the money coming in.”
“I think Josh does one heck of a job for us,” said Pct. 2 Commissioner Luke Sternadel. “What he proposed is very in line. I don’t think he asked for something he doesn’t need. He never has in the past. He’s having a turnover of paramedics. Right now, my personal opinion is with the struggle we’re having with the hospital, with medical services, I don’t think this is a good time to shorten anybody on that end of the deal. We’re counting on them more than ever.”
“I think we’re all in favor of giving him some extra money, as with the Sheriff’s Office, I’m in favor of that,” McBroom said. “But it comes to a point. How much is too much in one year?”
Mueller made the motion to approve the proposed budget with the changes for the sale of the EMS building, the additional revenue from SB 22, the Sheriff’s vehicle transferred from the general fund to the forfeiture fund and eliminating the grant specialist funding. Those changes brought the budget into the black. However, the County will still spend more money than it brings in next year: $31,279,544.82 in revenue versus $31,437,918.63 in expenses. The County’s fund balance is projected to shrink from $4,693,013 to $4,534,639. The County will collect more than $1.3 million in additional taxes over the current year. Sternadel seconded the motion and it passed 3-2 with McBroom and Berckenhoff opposed.
Commissioners proposed setting the property tax rate for next year at $0.41196 per $100 of taxable value. That’s the highest rate the Court could set according to state law without calling a special election for voter approval.
A public hearing on the proposed budget will take place Aug. 30 at 9 a.m. in the Fayette County Ag Building. A public hearing on the proposed tax rate will take place Sept. 14 at the regular Commissioners Court meeting.