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Complete Forecast for  Sep 06 2008

TOP JOBS

By ROY MAYNARD
Staff Writer

Smith County commissioners on Monday will continue their work on next year’s budget, even as they continue to deal with the impact rising fuel prices have had on this year’s funds.

Commissioners will hold their regular meeting at 9 a.m., and then a budget workshop at 10:30 a.m. on Monday.

One of their first items of business will be to shuffle funds to cover an estimated $100,000 shortfall in the fuel budget for the current calendar year.

“These budget transfers are necessary because we have gone over budget on fuel this year,” County Judge Joel Baker says. “We face the same challenges in county government as we experience at home regarding the rising gas prices.”

They’ll also continue to chip away at a $2 million shortfall in the working budget for fiscal year 2009.

According to the most recent figures, the estimated revenues for FY 2009 are $65.38 million, while the working budget’s expenditures are at $67.22 million.

“This budget shortfall is an opportunity for the Commissioners Court to demonstrate fiscal responsibility to our taxpayers,” says Commissioner JoAnn Fleming. “Our goal is to absorb increased fuel and road material costs and to fund the second phase of the salary plan for county employees without raising the tax rate.”

Commissioners meet on the first floor of the Smith County Courthouse Annex, 200 E. Ferguson St.

Other items to be considered for approval on Monday include:

Payment of bills and payroll, transfers of funds, health claims and budget transfers and amendments.

Utility and pipeline installation requests.

Easements and plats.

Appointment of Roy Brooks Jr. as a volunteer assistant fire marshal.

cceptance of a donation for the Lindale tax office remodeling project.

Request for proposals for demolition services at the Smith County Courthouse.

Settlement on a wrecked Chevrolet Tahoe.

Purchase of a road rec-laimer.

Purchase of scales for the License and Weights Program.

Report on demolition and disposal of the old Precinct 3 Justice building.

Accept resignation of Constable Danny Smith.

Mandatory direct deposit for all county employees.

Participation in the National Association of Counties prescription drug card program.

Funding and support for the Texas Department of Transportation right of way project on Texas Highway 155.

Interlocal agreement with Bullard for boom axe services.

Commissioners will receive their regular reports on jail inmate status and on the long range planning action items.