83° F
7 “It’s not going to be easy,” said commissioner Lee Dildy earlier this week during commissioners court as soon as the subject of Bastrop County’s 2010/11 budget process was raised. “There are going to have to be some substantial cuts made.”
Although it wasn’t discussed in great detail, Dildy’s sense of concern over the budget seemed to be shared with other commissioners on Monday as the county discussed preparations to finish the current year on track, as well as tackling next fiscal year’s budget which begins Oct.1.
According to preliminary budget figures released this week, the requested Bastrop County budget for next fiscal year is currently totaling $32,112,717. Considering the total projected revenues for the coming fiscal year are estimated at $29,824,063, commissioners are expecting to make substantial cuts to requests.
Compounding such a reality is the fact the budget as proposed does not include any new positions or increases in wages, according to County Judge Ronnie McDonald and County Auditor Lisa Smith.
Included in that projected figure of $32.1 million are 18 requested new positions throughout the county that Smith says will not be approved. Ten of those requested positions are with the sheriff’s office and three with the Bastrop County Jail.
Like Dildy, Precinct 2 Commissioner Clara Beckett acknowledged tough decisions are on the horizon as the budget process gets under way, but stressed that tax increases were not the answer.
“With effort and pain we can get this down and not raise the tax rate,” Beckett said. “I’m not in favor of increasing the tax rate. People are struggling to pay their taxes and the last thing we need to do is raise the rate.”
Regarding the current fiscal year’s budget, the county is projecting $30,723,064 in revenue by the end of September, just short of the $30,888,573 in projected end of year expenditures.
At present time, however, only $26,264,910 in revenue has actually been brought into the county, a development that means well over $1 million is expected to be allocated out of the county’s general fund budget to cover the shortfall.
Smith said the challenges posed by the current budget year have been compounded by a substantial shortfall in the anticipated revenue from the half cents sales tax, as well as other declining revenue from fees and fines.
Commissioners are scheduled to begin budget workshops next week.
In other business:
• The county heard a report from the planning and project management department outlining the grant application for approximately $1 million TIGER II funds that will be used towards the county’s Lifesaver-Low Water Crossing Repair Program.
Under the program, 18 low water crossings in Bastrop County will potentially be targeted for repair.
• A revised list of locations for early voting in Bastrop County’s November general elections was presented from the elections administrator.
• An interlocal agreement between Bastrop County and others was approved concerning the use of the 800 Mhz radio system and the payment of fees for that usage.
Ya’ll think the budget is large now, wait until the fallout from the Central Texas Airport litigations begin.
The Airport Compatibility Zone covers almost 22,000 acres, and will constitute a “taking” for 21 subdivisions and countless other properties within the zone that will be affected by noise pollution and geatly reduced property values.
This will also affect BISD and EISD negatively, reguardless of the “pie in the sky” promoted by Carpenter & Associates.
Take a look at http://www.saynotocta.info
I would just say be careful and check out Carpenter. Has anyone seen his financials? Worst thing that could happen would be a county that jumps off the roof with a company that could have skeletons in their closets. An internal investigation of this company by the County is in order. Remember these developers will tell you what you want to hear while bilking the money out of unsophisticated Commissioners. Beware.
Sorry, it’s too late. The 381 is signed, sealed, and deliverd to the citizens of Bastrop County.
The Commissioners Court have “made our bed,” and now we have to sleep in it….with Carpenter & Associates….
We need to elected city and county officials who will not hand out tax incentives, abatements and etc., like candy at Halloween. These tax breaks were not necessary and now every business looking to locate in Bastrop is looking for a tax handout. For example Buckees Truck Stop. Can you believe it? The CT Airport is another example. The Commissioners gave them a 75% 30 year tax break after finding a loophole in the 381 statute. They bent over backward to give them this unprecedented give-away.
A peak in the mirror will show you who will pick up the tab for this folly. Now they are moaning about low revenue?
The County Judge is running unopposed – perhaps a write-in should be considered.
Vic,
A write-in candidate would be great for County Judge.
What are the qualifications to be County Judge?
The CTA will be a cost to the county & its tax payers? That will be coming by means of CTA through the partnership w/ the County Commissioners as they acted in “Our best Interest” – but, not with our approval. And may I add, not to go with the proposed way of doing business that THEY signed off under the Opportunity Bastrop County. Well, I guess that after all the work and effort put into that document, they just signed it. (Simialr to the 381 , just sign it)
As far as the write -ins, it’s too late (this time, I have already checked). If not, McDonald & Beckett would neither be unopposed!
It’s never to late to “write in” a candidate. They’re just rarely successful. Pick someone and I’ll write them in. Hey, we’ve got like a week or so,..who should we “write in”? Calling all volunteers!
Mabey I’m wrong but that wouldn’t make sense. Then again we’re talking about state law,…lol!! Now it all makes sense!
Recall the jerks.