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County IT budget grows, planning shrinks
By Jolene Guzman, Staff Writer
Wednesday, April 15, 2009 | No comments posted.
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COQUILLE — No Coos County department budgets are final yet, but some county managers have a good idea of how they’d like to spend money next year.
Though state funding figures still are up in the air, most county general fund departments, including the district attorney, assessor, treasurer and clerk expect to keep their 2009-10 budgets on par with 2008-09.
Coos County information technology and county planning are two exceptions.
The IT department is incorporating the cost of technology-related contracts and computer replacements county-wide into its budget. Taking those items out of individual department budgets and putting them into IT’s allows for easier tracking of tech spending, commissioner and department liaison Kevin Stufflebean said.
While the IT budget grew, county planning’s shrunk by about $200,000 due to cuts earlier in this year.
In 2008, the board removed general fund support, thinking the fee-driven department could stand on its own. Since then, fees slowed to a trickle as the economy worsened and construction plummeted. The planning department laid off four of the seven department employees in January. Additionally, the county had to loan planning $88,000 since September for operating costs.
“Because of the economy, it’s not working, but I think it will someday,” Commissioner Nikki Whitty said.
Treasurer Mary Barton said the loans are scheduled to be paid off in five years at $17,600 a year, but writing off the debt is another option if revenue doesn’t pick up.
“If we don’t forgive it and the economy doesn’t get better, we will end up giving it back,” Whitty said.
Though state funding figures still are up in the air, most county general fund departments, including the district attorney, assessor, treasurer and clerk expect to keep their 2009-10 budgets on par with 2008-09.
Coos County information technology and county planning are two exceptions.
The IT department is incorporating the cost of technology-related contracts and computer replacements county-wide into its budget. Taking those items out of individual department budgets and putting them into IT’s allows for easier tracking of tech spending, commissioner and department liaison Kevin Stufflebean said.
While the IT budget grew, county planning’s shrunk by about $200,000 due to cuts earlier in this year.
In 2008, the board removed general fund support, thinking the fee-driven department could stand on its own. Since then, fees slowed to a trickle as the economy worsened and construction plummeted. The planning department laid off four of the seven department employees in January. Additionally, the county had to loan planning $88,000 since September for operating costs.
“Because of the economy, it’s not working, but I think it will someday,” Commissioner Nikki Whitty said.
Treasurer Mary Barton said the loans are scheduled to be paid off in five years at $17,600 a year, but writing off the debt is another option if revenue doesn’t pick up.
“If we don’t forgive it and the economy doesn’t get better, we will end up giving it back,” Whitty said.
More meetings
Coos County budget meetings are held in the large conference room in the Owen Building 201 N. Adams St., Coquille.
• April 20, 9 a.m. ” work session canceled
• April 21, 9 a.m. ” solid waste, parks
• April 23, 9 a.m. ” road, surveyor, public health and maintenance
• April 29, 3:30 p.m. ” juvenile department.
Coos County budget meetings are held in the large conference room in the Owen Building 201 N. Adams St., Coquille.
• April 20, 9 a.m. ” work session canceled
• April 21, 9 a.m. ” solid waste, parks
• April 23, 9 a.m. ” road, surveyor, public health and maintenance
• April 29, 3:30 p.m. ” juvenile department.
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