JFS BUDGET HEARING … Judy Preston filled the Williams County Commissioners in on the state of the 2022 budget for Job and Family Services, at the October 31, 2022 commissioners meeting. She also informed them of some possible shortfalls. Also present for the hearing were incoming Commissioner Bart Westfall, Fiscal Clerk Katie Baltosser and County Auditor Vicki Grimm. (PHOTO BY REBECCA MILLER, STAFF)
By: Rebecca Miller
Williams County Commissioners began the last day of October with their regular session, approving the following:
- Resolution 272 Supplemental Appropriations
- Resolutions 273, 274 & 275 Transfer of Funds for Williams County JFS (separate as they go in different budget lines)
- Minutes of October 27, 2022 and payment of bills
Following a short recess, they went into an executive session to discuss employment with Kim Herman from Clerk of Courts and with Bart Westfall remaining for session.
When they came out of executive, there was no action taken and a few minutes later they went back into regular session for a Job and Family Services budget hearing.
Judy Preston, JFS Fiscal Clerk, gave the report with Fiscal Clerk Katie Baltosser, JFS Director Fred Lord and Williams County Auditor Vicki Grimm present to add any thoughts.
Preston shared that she has entered the budget for 2023 into the system but had not submitted it yet.
She reported that with the numbers the way they are, she “expects” that they will have a shortfall of around $100,000 for the carryover purchase orders.
It was recalled that she actually indicated at the end of last year that there were some concerns for this year and Preston said that even though they have not overspent the budget, they haven’t brought in the revenue that was anticipated.
Expenses will be higher in the last quarter of the year and revenues will be lower, so they might have to pay for them out of the 2023 budget, causing 2023 to also have a shortfall.
There was some discussion concerning how the carryover will affect 2023 and what monies are in funds to cover other possible shortfalls.
It was agreed that with federal and state funds, they might be able to cover the shortfalls, but the commissioners are aware that if not, they might need to jump in and help with some funds.
There was also some discussion about an account that is basically frozen by the state as it can only be used for very specific things, and with 1.8 million dollars in that account the question was raised why they can’t get that loosened up.
Lord and Preston pointed out that in the future, when other state funds stop coming in, that money will then cover those needs for which it is designated.
After another short recess, they reconvened to meet with Kim Nossaman from Victim’s Assistance, for a budget meeting, with Grimm and Williams County Prosecutor Katie Zartman present.
Nossaman began by thanking the commissioners for “the very helpful funding last year that you guys were able to give us in our time of crisis,” adding, “which we are still there. The Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) money is still low at this time as it has not changed from last year.”
She went on to explain that the situation is much the same, the VOCA funding will cover the salary and benefits for Susan Tennant, but it will not cover Nossaman’s salary or the 3% increase in wages, mileage, training and supplies.
That was $75,000 last year and for this year she was requesting $83,652.51. There was some discussion over the math with Grimm saying that she could see it being $78,500 instead of $83,000 if certain things were covered out of other funds. Nossaman agreed that it was a possibility.
The commissioners agreed that they can probably “sustain this for 2023 if they approve that,” but then what about 2024?
There was an agreement that the federal and state funding for budgets needs to be addressed.
Commissioner Lew Hilkert stated, “We are back to the drawing board in 2024, looking at what can happen in the economy and it’s not fair to the victims, it’s not fair to your department, and it’s not fair to us when we’re, you know, we are looking at we could be running out of money in a real hurry.”
He finished by saying that in his opinion, they should work with it for 2023. Zartman pointed out that other counties take private donations from organizations such as United Way and corporations but “in the past the prosecutors have not wanted to go that route as it can create some conflicts of interest, or perceptions…but that is a possibility.”
The Victim’s Assistance Budget hearing ended with the determination to “table” it until some more specific numbers have been completed.
Grants were mentioned and Commissioner Terry Rummel asked them to thank the entities that have helped in that way.
With no further business, the commissioners adjourned for the day.
Rebecca can be reached at rebecca@thevillagereporter.com
