Commissioners sign $191M county budget

Last edited 9:14 a.m., Jan. 9, 2020

The Greene County Commission yesterday adopted a $191.5 million budget for fiscal 2019.

The budgeted expenses are up roughly 18.6% from $161.5 million in the 2018 budget.

“There were many difficult decisions that had to be made during this year’s budget process, but the commission, along with all officeholders, department directors and our budget office personnel, worked very hard to develop a budget that demonstrates our commitment to making the absolute best use of the funds available,” Presiding Commissioner Bob Dixon said in a news release.

“There were a number of items that couldn’t be funded this year, which always makes subsequent budget years a challenge, but we will continue to be as transparent about these issues and work to address these needs as we can.”

The 2019 budget includes:
• $19.5 million for the county’s new operations center, court renovations, and jail planning and construction;
• $2 million for the Springfield-Greene County Health Department’s mental health programs;
• $430,000 for network, wireless, telecommunication and hard disk upgrades and replacements;
• $400,000 for main roof replacements in the current jail; and
• a 1 percent annual cost-of-living adjustment and a service-based 1.5 percent salary bump for employees.

Leading up to the commission vote yesterday, the governmental body held 16 budget decision meetings. More than $15 million in requests were cut from the final budget, according to the release.