Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget Cuts topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council trims multiple department line items, including sheriff pension and EMA supplies
Summary
During the Aug. 20 budget session, council reduced multiple line items across Sheriff, EMA, Veterans, Coroner and other departments and did not approve two requested jailer positions. Auditor office supplies were cut and an HB1328 auditor stipend was approved 7-0.
Wells County Council approved a series of line-item reductions across several departments during its Aug. 20 budget session, trimming spending in areas including the Sheriff’s office, Emergency Management Agency (EMA), Veterans affairs and the Coroner’s office.
Notable reductions included a decrease in the Police Pension line from $540,249 to $506,249 and cutting Service Contracts in the Sheriff budget from $48,000 to $29,100. The council did not approve adding two additional jailer positions. In EMA’s general fund, nine line items were cut or reduced substantially (examples: PPE supplies from $5,000 to $0; Vehicle from $6,500 to $3,500). Veterans’ general fund saw nine reductions across postage, professional services, travel, advertising, dues, training and Memorial Day expense (Memorial Day expense cut from $2,100 to $1,600). The Coroner’s toxicology budget was reduced from $7,500 to $5,000.
Auditor Lisa McCormick had an Office Supply line reduced from $3,000 to $0. The council approved the HB 1328 stipend of $2,500 for the Elected Auditor for 2025, in a 7-0 vote to provide ongoing Commissioner and Council support.
Council members said the reductions reflect a cautious approach to vehicle purchases and discretionary spending across departments as they finalized draft budget items for 2025.
