Commissioners discuss upcoming budget

The Cheyenne County Board of Commissioners met twice this week for workshops to create a balanced budget for 2015-'16.

The budget year actually began on July 1, but counties have until Sept. 20 to finalize the expected revenues and expenses of each of their departments.

Budget consultant Pete Peterson has helped Cheyenne County prepare its budget for many years and was present at the workshops on Thursday and Friday.

Department heads presented financial forecasts for the upcoming year and explained any large projects or purchases.

A budget hearing is scheduled for the commissioner's Sept. 8 regular meeting to finalize the numbers and approve the budget.

There were only a few changes to the proposed budget at Friday's workshop.

Additional line items for a $15,000 grant were added to both revenue and expense sides of the Region 21 Emergency Management budget.

Ron Leal, who heads the department, said he didn't know if the county would receive the grants. County Clerk Beth Fiegenschuh said if the money is awarded but isn't budgeted, it can't be spent. Conversely, she added, if the line items are included and the money doesn't come through, it simply won't be spent.

Hal Enevoldsen and Heather Hausmann, both of the Cheyenne Visitors Committee, said they are also hoping to fund a large project this budget year through possible grants.

An additional $750,000 was added to their budget to allow the grants to be spent if they come through, and Fiegenschuh again said that if the funds aren't received, the money can't be spent.

Enevoldsen asked if there was any money in the budget to pay for seasonal help if the need arose.

The county clerk said there is a $10,000 line item for additional staff, and last year, about half of it was used.

Fiegenschuh also explained the various programs and projects money received through keno helps fund, including youth services, a participation fee for the Chamber of Commerce and a fee to the Humane Society for stray dogs and cats collected by the county.

Commissioners tentatively approved a $90,000 budget for the library system. Andrew Sherman, the library director, said he kept the budget as flat as possible, but added the book mobile needs about $5,000 in repairs.

A big goal for the library this year is to clean up the inventory and remove old and outdated books that aren't being checked out to make room for new material.

After hearing from the various departments, commissioners discussed the overall budget.

Peterson said he was pleased with the process.

"There's a lot of management going into this budget, not just numbers," he said.

Commission Chairman Darrell Johnson said he thinks the county is on the right track, and Fiegenschuh and the other commissioners nodded in agreement.

The next Cheyenne County Board of Commissioners meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 8 at 8 a.m. in the Commissioners' Room of the Cheyenne County Courthouse. The meeting is being held on a Tuesday because of the Labor Day holiday.