County budget rounds into shape
The Jasper County Board of Supervisors spent much of their afternoons last week discussing the county’s budget with department heads and organizations who receive county funds. Here’s a synopsis of some of the issues they have discussed:
Treasurer
Jasper County Treasurer Doug Bishop told the supervisors that he will be moving the county’s main investment accounts out of First Newton National Bank. According to a letter Bishop received in October 2009 from the bank, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. has increased its premiums and special assessments to the bank, necessitating the need to pass on the costs to the county.
Bishop has been aggressive in his search for the best interest rates for the county’s investments, and he said he will be moving the funds out of First Newton National Bank, in order to avoid paying those fees.
“It’ll be a serious inconvenience for us to move those accounts,” Bishop said. “But we’re not only elected officials, we have a responsibility to the citizens of this county and we take that very seriously.”
The county had more than $7 million in all accounts at First Newton National last September, and had more than $12 million at the bank at one point.
Gary Khan, president of First Newton National Bank, said Iowa Code requires all banks that accept public funds to pay the FDIC premiums, and those fees are only being charged to municipal accounts, and not to private accounts.
Bishop also said the county’s driver’s license station has the third-highest production for driver’s licenses in the state, and the department now has touch-screen testing available, and the tests can be taken in 37 different languages.
Pioneer Cemeteries
Jasper County will budget $2,500 next fiscal year for the pioneer cemeteries in the county, defined as any cemetery that has had fewer than 12 burials in the last 50 years.
Diana Wagner, chair of the Jasper County Pioneer Cemetery Commission, said there have been some changes in cemetery designations in the past year. Indiana Cemetery in Indiana Township, Swan Cemetery in Lynn Grove Township, Saum Cemetery in Buena Vista Township, and Kellogg German Lutheran Cemetery were designated pioneer cemeteries in 2009, and the Antle Cemetery in Kellogg Township was added in 2008.
Information Technology
The supervisors discussed the possibility of creating a new Web site to encompass all county information. The current Web site is difficult for the public to use, and is considered outdated. Whether a private firm will be utilized for Web site maintenance or a part-time person is hired will be determined at a later date.
Domestic Violence Alternatives
DVA Executive Director Dottie Thompson told the supervisors that her organization works with victims and survivors of domestic violence in court as well as provide them with temporary housing and access to other resources in the county. The group also gives presentations in high school and middle schools, as well as law enforcement training. The county provided DVA with $2,000 last fiscal year. Thompson said without the county’s support, her office would have more problems obtaining restraining orders.
Engineer
Two major projects are on the Jasper County Engineer’s agenda for next fiscal year. The Van Zante Bridge in the southeast corner of the county is scheduled for replacement this year, and Highway F62 between Lynnville and Sully will be resurfaced.
The Pictometry Co. is scheduled to take aerial photographs of Jasper County this spring, and the Assessor’s Office and the County Engineer will share the cost of the photography, approximately $36,000 paid over two years.
Road use tax revenues has decreased over the past year. The Engineer has $2.6 million in cash reserve, and needs to levy $2.2 million of local taxes in order to get $3.6 million in road use taxes.
Library Board
The county gave the Rural Libraries $141,000 this fiscal year, and the supervisors indicated that the same amount could be expected for the next fiscal year.
Jean Hjortshoj, chair of the Rural Library Board, told the supervisors that libraries have been providing more services than ever before, such as Internet access for job applications, distance learning, and summer reading programs for youth and adults. All the libraries in the county have story hours for the children as well.
