Tyler

By ROY MAYNARD
Staff Writer

Smith County commissioners on Monday chipped away at a $2 million shortfall in the working budget for fiscal year 2009, but say they still have plenty of work ahead.

In a lengthy budget workshop, County Judge Joel Baker won support for additional funds for the Tyler Economic Development Council, as it works to get a $100,000 matching grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce to help the county recover from the closing of the Goodyear plant.

“We were told you couldn’t consider the funding last year because the budget had already been adopted,” said TEDC President and CEO Tom Mullins.

“I support the request, and that’s why it’s in the working budget now,” County Judge Joel Baker responded.

The working budget brings the outlay for the TEDC up from last year’s $35,000 to $50,000, with an additional $20,000 in matching funds for that grant.

But the Commissioners Court took some convincing.

“There are some things we’re not considering cutting — that would be our employees,” said Commissioner JoAnn Fleming. “But we’re trying to find $2 million. We’ve got competing priorities here, so there will be some things we can’t do.”

But Baker pledged to compromise on other items in the budget, and convinced the court to support the increase for the TEDC.

Other agencies made appeals for more funds, as well. The Tyler/Smith County Child Welfare Board asked to be increased from $5,000 in FY 2008 to $20,000 in FY 2009. The board provides “monthly allowances and clothing allowances” for children in the Child Protective Services system and provides Christmas gifts and a Christmas party for them.

“These children are in foster care through a failure in their family structure,” said Hank Knight, past chairman of the agency. “It’s no fault of their own.”

But commissioners tentatively held the agency’s budget to the same as last year.

They managed to find some savings in the Road and Bridge budget, primarily by adjusting some road repair plans. Currently, asphalt overlay costs $97,500 per mile just for the materials. The total cost to contract out seal coating is a more modest $46,465 per mile. Road Administrator Doug Nicholson said switching over to seal coating for just 12 miles of planned road repairs will save the county $446,920.

The amount of road planned for repair remains at 92 miles for the coming fiscal year.

“Based on Mr. Nicholson’s projections, this was a reasonable budget adjustment to make,” Mrs. Fleming said. “We didn’t cut any road miles, and that was my main concern. This will help the Road and Bridge Department make significant progress on the backlog of C and D rated roads. Seal coat will save some of the heavily traveled asphalt roads and make them last longer.”

According to the most recent figures, the estimated revenues for FY 2009 are $65.38 million, while the working budget’s expenditures were whittled down to $66.28 million —nearly $1 million lower than the $67.22 million mark they started at on Monday.

“I’m really pleased with the progress made today on the budget,” Commissioner Bill McGinnis said. “With the cooperation of our elected officials and department heads, we’re moving in the right direction toward real savings for our taxpayers.”

“I think things are on the right track,” agreed County Auditor Ann Wilson. “This isn’t as bad as it has been in some years.”

The court has voiced its intention of keeping the county tax rate at its current level.

Commissioners will continue their budget work at 10:30 a.m. on July 28. Public hearings on the budget are slated for Aug. 12 at 5:30 p.m. and on Aug. 25 at 9 a.m.

Also on Monday, commissioners approved:

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