The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

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November 3, 2009

<img src=" http://www.joplinglobeonline.com/images/zope/new.gif" border=0> Jasper County officials told to hold down spending

CARTHAGE, Mo. — Jasper County officials and department heads are being told to hold down spending for the remainder of this year and to prepare for no spending increases in the 2010 budget.

“I don’t see how there can be any increases, in any shape or form, next year,” Richard Webster, county auditor, told the county commission in its general session Tuesday. No money was included in the current year’s budget as raises for county workers. Asked after the meeting if he could recommend funding for a wage hike next year, the auditor said “I just don’t see how we can.”

Webster and commissioners have been discussions plans for a lean budget next year, but the auditor on Tuesday said the county ended October with a balance of just over $579,000 in general fund reserves.

“My concern is that revenues and balances are down and we have to get through the end of the year and have some money to balance next year’s budget,” he said.

Commissioners said they will join with Webster in sending a memo to office holders on the budget situation, and to set plans for meetings to discuss department budgets for 2010.

The sheriff’s department budgets will be included in that round of meetings, after no talks were scheduled as a result of an earlier request, John Bartosh, presiding commissioner, said Tuesday.

Webster at the commission’s request sent a letter Sheriff Archie Dunn more than a week ago, asking for a meeting to discuss whether additional law enforcement expenses could be paid for by the law enforcement sales tax, to reduce the strain on the general fund.

John Bartosh, presiding commissioner, said Dunn was asked to get back to the commission with a time for the meeting.

“He never did, but we didn’t press it. Nobody wants these meetings because they’re not going to like what we have to talk about.”

Webster on Tuesday told the commission that the balance in the county’s general fund reserves is stood at just over $579,000 at the end of October. He said that compares to $969,000 a year ago at the same time a year ago.

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