Two Likely to Vote Against Budget
Approval of the county government budget for next year appears to be headed for a split vote.
At the public hearing on the budget last Wednesday, Pct. 1 Commissioner Jason McBroom and Pct. 3 Commissioner Harvey Berckenhoff delivered prepared remarks critical of spending in the proposed budget. Mc-Broom’s speech appeared as a letter to the editor in last Friday’s paper.
Berckenhoff told the Record after the meeting that he intends to vote against final approval of the budget.
“Early in the budget discussions, we, as a court, discussed a five percent raise for all employees, except for a seven percent raise for our EMS and sheriff’s departments,” Berckenhoff said at the meeting. “It seemed like a fair and reasonable raise considering the state of our economy. The Auditor ran the numbers and agreed it would be tough, but she said we could make it work, all the while remembering we had a $135,000 increase in our medical insurance premiums from the previous year. We, as a court, decided that we would absorb the cost, meaning we would not pass the increase on to the employees. A few meetings later, the Judge proposed a 10% raise. It sounded very generous but unaffordable.”
Berckenhoff went on to say the County provided more than $2 million in American Rescue Plan funding for the EMS department in 2020. Those funds to build new ambulance stations in Schulenburg and Round Top, new ambulances and equipment.
“It is clear to me that we have fully supported our EMS,” Berckenhoff said.
Berckenhoff addressed criticism he took for suggesting the EMS lower its budget this year.
“The citizens of Precinct 3 elected me to be their voice,” he said. “And I am trying to be a good steward of their hard-earned tax money. I felt the comments in court last week were unnecessary and unprofessional. We have been accused of nickel and diming this department. I stated that I would be in support of a seven percent raise for the EMS, which was the same amount the sheriff’s department agreed they could accept.
“I support the EMS Department,” Berckenhoff added. “I support all of the employees of Fayette County. I support the hard-working people of Precinct 3 and this entire county. I want our employees to be happy and want to work here. But I will remind you, money isn’t the only reason people leave a good job.”