County board sees no problems in passing budget

Robert Warner
The Enquirer

MARSHALL — Leaders of the Calhoun County Board of Commissioners said they think the proposed budget presented to them Thursday night will have no trouble gaining board approval.

"It is a balanced budget, it has no reductions in services and it eliminates no persons or positions ... at this time," county Administrator/Controller Greg Purcell said in presenting the $40.04 million spending plan for 2008.

"Keeping all the services going and not having to cut positions in Michigan at the local government level is a huge accomplishment," given the state's dire economic straits, Purcell said.

The best news is a $500,000 payment in lieu of taxes from Kellogg Co.

The county has forgiven the annual payment since 2004 as part of a financial incentive package to help lure Kellogg's Keebler business unit to Battle Creek.

And the county will save $200,000 a year by refinancing construction bonds on the Calhoun County Justice Center on East Michigan Avenue.

"With the additional revenue this year and the ability to refinance the bond, and the work of all the departments and all the commissioners working together, I think this budget does have some advantages over previous years," board Chairperson Kate Segal said.

The budget calls for an across-the-board 2 percent pay raise for non-union workers, though Segal acknowledged the raise would be eaten up by workers' increased payments for their part of health-care premiums.

Commissioner Eusebio Solis, who represents District 7 and chairs the budget committee, also said he expects smooth sailing for the budget before the full board.

The county administration's general fund budget recommendations will be on the county Web site, www.calhouncountymi.org, this morning, Purcell said.

The board is to hold a public hearing on the budget at its Dec. 6 meeting and is scheduled to pass a final budget at its Dec. 20 session.

Originally published November 16, 2007
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