The Jefferson County Fiscal Committee on Monday continued with in-depth budget discussions.
The committee gave unofficial nods to a number of budget expense increases, but also hesitated over a few line items.
Within the judges’ budget, a $5,000 increase is being asked for in the juvenile detention line item because of the four young men charged with the May 31 shooting death of cab driver Charles Ellis.
Board Chairman Robert White said the county is looking for new ways to increase its revenue, and a price increase to all marriage licenses may be seen in the future.
He said Marion County raised its license cost to $50, but Jefferson County isn’t likely to follow suit.
“Ours are now $25, and may increase to $30,” he said. “For copies, we may start charging $12 for the first copy and $6 for the second.”
He said based on this year’s marriage licenses, that would increase the county’s revenue by at least $12,000.
Fiscal Committee chairman John Keele supported the move, saying it was a small fee increase that could really help the county.
The committee also gave the nod for a part-time assistant to the Supervisor of Assessments for about $16,000 to stay in the budget.
Board member Ted Buck said Supervisor of Assessments Steve Lueker desperately needs assistance.
Don Rector, board member, said Lueker goes above and beyond his job duties.
Board member Robert Knutson raised a discussion of how much the County Board plans to invest in its facilities.
“I would like to avoid the perception that we need a sales tax increase,” he said.
Buck said the board spends approximately $30,000 a year on maintenance from the county’s contingency fund.
Knutson said he believes it is important for the board to make a commitment to county facilities, and brought up the possibility of installing a pitched roof on the courthouse.
“It’s become painfully obvious that we’ve got some issues that are going to be pretty costly,” he said.
The Fiscal Committee also informally agreed that administrative assistant Suzy Tate’s title should be changed to executive assistant and that she should receive a raise.
White said Tate is a valuable employee to the county.
The Sheriff’s Office Committee on Wednesday will discuss the budgets within the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. U5NAM
