More budget discussion by Riley County law board members, and it looks like the matter will be going to another special meeting. During Monday’s meeting, questions were still asked about whether the budget for the Riley County Police department can afford two new police officers, two non-sworn officers, and a cost of living increase.
Board member Loren Pepperd had an interesting analogy, when talking about cut-backs at upper governmental levels, saying “the big bear out there in the woods though is that the budgets of 2014, 2015 because right now both the federal government and the and state government going through dramatic reorganization the way they’re going to be funding their expenditures and revenue.” Pepperd went on to say all these changes will have an unknown impact on both the city and county fiscal planning in upcoming years.
However Board Chair Karen Mcculloh stressed her position of no more cuts. Board member Wynn Butler says what he’d like and what can be afforded might be different.
Concerns were also raised about some areas in the city, in which property tax cannot be collected–with reference made to the TIF or tax increment finance districts. Board member Barry Wilkerson stressed those areas still need police protection.
While numbers and statistics regarding this year’s Fake Patty’s day in Aggieville have been presented many times in many venues the last few weeks, Riley County law board members had their turn Monday, with a power point presentation by Riley County Police Director Brad Schoen. Law Board members generally had praise for the way the event was handled compared to past years.
Board members Monday also discussed the 2013 budget once again, with plans to hold a special session on the matter. They also heard there is an approximate $400,000 carry-over for 2011. And Board Chair Karen McCulloh read a proclamation for telecommunication week, recognizing dispatchers, April eighth through the 14th.
