County council approves budget

The Monroe County Council voted Tuesday to approve the new budget for 2002, property tax adjustments and an increase in salaries for local government employees.\nThe vote was originally on last week's agenda but officials postponed the meeting in light of the terrorist attacks Sept. 11.\nWhen Council President Joni Reagan called the meeting to order, she asked everyone to join in a moment of silence for victims of the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington.\nShe called on fellow council members to remember the affirmation: "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference."\nThe council voted unanimously to approve $19.8 million from the county general fund, about $1.3 million more than this year's budget.\nIn the largest spending increase, the council allotted an additional $200,000 to the county's child welfare department, which keeps a separate budget. The 2002 budget, which finances the county's day-to-day operations, keeps closely to this year's budget, with a few allowances for inflation.\nThe council felt that work on the new budget had been a success.\nCouncilman Doug Duncan said his ideal budget would have been a little smaller, but the seven diverse individuals on the council worked well together and illustrated the ability of the county to come together.\nCouncilman Scott Wells expressed his concern for the salaries of local government employees. He said he hopes that more money can be brought in, without dipping into the county general fund, to pay employees what they deserve and convince them to stay in the area.\n"When I see what we where paying some of these employees, I said 'no wonder we have such a high turnover,'" Wells said.\nMost county employees will have a three percent raise next year.\nThe property tax issue is still up for amendment at the state level. The State Board of Tax Commissioners will consider cuts to the county's property tax rate later this year.\nThe council also voted to approve tax abatements and appropriations when it finished with last week's business.\nThe council discontinued an abatement to plastic manufacturer Masterkraft Partnership because the company failed to retain workers this year. The failure is considered a breach of contract, and Masterkraft has agreed to give up the abatement.\nPaddock Industries will receive a property tax abatement for an estimated $632,000 for real estate improvements made on the property. The extra money will allow the company to expand from four workers to eight workers.\nThe council also granted appropriations to some local departments.\nThe Local Road and Street Department will receive $2.2 million to continue work on the Curry Pike/Vernal Pike Project. The courthouse building fund will receive $66,043 to cover expenses incurred from the recent replacement of the air conditioning system. And Sheriff Steve Sharp will receive an extra $52,000 to cover vehicle expenses this year. Rising gasoline costs made the appropriation necessary, Sharp said. \nThe council also allocated $97,176 from substance abuse fees collected in the circuit courts to law enforcement agencies and treatment programs.