County Board Okays Tentative Fiscal Year Budget

Effingham County Board members Tuesday approved a proposed budget for the coming fiscal year that calls for just more in income than in outgo.

Revenues are $485 ahead of expenses, as things now stand. Changes are anticipated, though, before the budget is finalized. One reason is that numbers on insurance aren't in, and another factor is that Federal revenue is anticipated if negotiations are concluded in Washington.

The proposed budget includes the purchase of a vehicle for Animal Control, $5,000 for postage, and funding for the E-C Jobs effort through the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce. Board members are also working on paying off chillers that are part of the heating and air conditioning system, and Sheriff Paul Kuhns reminded the Board that he is still in the midst of contract talks with one of his unions.

With all of those considerations, the budget calls for expenditures totaling $11,464,428. That amount is just over $1.2 million more than last year's measure.

The budget will likely be finalized at the Board's regular meeting in November. The County's new fiscal year will begin December 1.