Missoula County's total projected budget is $81 million, more than half of which comes from state and federal grants and filing fees. Another $30 million is collected from property taxes.
The general fund - the pot of money the commissioners have the most flexibility to spend - is predicted to come in at $14.2 million, or about $80,000 less than last year, said Dale Bickell, the county's chief financial officer.
Filing fees collected by the Clerk and Recorder's Office are down approximately $120,000, Bickell said, mainly in the area of real estate transactions because fewer people are buying, selling and refinancing their homes.
Also, interest earnings are $55,000 lower than original projections.
Thus the possibility that Bickell may have to lower revenue projects again before the budget process is complete, wiping out any chance for new projects in the year ahead.
Of the $14.2 million in general-fund money, about $208,000 goes to one-time-only projects and payments, and the rest is ongoing.
This year, the commissioners received 90 requests from department heads. They include everything from extra money to pay ever-higher energy costs to additional planners in case the proposed Bitterroot Resort subdivision is filed.
There's about $31,000 to pay for those new, long-term projects and programs, which means only about 10 percent of the requests the commissioners received will be funded.
The county began work on the budget for fiscal year 2009 in April, and won't wrap up until August. The public will have a chance to weigh in on the proposed budget at a hearing scheduled for July 30.
The big, expensive projects at the county level in the next year include the proposed Emergency Operations Center, which will house the 9-1-1 dispatch center, sheriff's office, and act as a regional training facility for emergency responders.
Missoula County has set aside $4 million in land sales from the development park near Expressway Boulevard for construction of the new center. Though proposed impact fees may help pay a portion, money for the building is not in the budget because the county plans to ask taxpayers to fund it in the form of a mill levy request in November.
Here's a list of some of the noteworthy enhancement requests now before the county commissioners:
Skyrocketing energy prices are taking a toll on Missoula County. Larry Farnes, the county facility manager, requested an additional $55,000 in 2009 to cover increasing energy costs. In talking with utility companies, Farnes said all expect at least a 15-percent hike in the next year.
n On top of that, the county must pay an additional $15,000 to contract with the City Parks and Recreation Department to maintain the grounds around the Missoula County Courthouse, Health Department and other county buildings inside the city limits. The reason for the increase?
“Everything they do includes fuel for lawn mowers, snowplows and salting the streets,” he said.
Luckily, the county is entering these expensive times armed and ready. They've installed efficient lighting systems, motion sensors and a ventilation system that circulates air but saves heat in the winter.
The Missoula County Sheriff's Office has requested $15,000 to cover costs associated with the Hells Angels' visit to Missoula at the end of July. The money will pay for food, lodging, travel expenses and overtime for up to 10 additional deputies from three counties to come to Missoula to help local law enforcement during the visit.
Maintenance at the Missoula County Fairgrounds is going to cost $60,000. Some of it is safety concerns, like fixing potholes and replacing boards at the grandstands, said Scot Meader, the fair manager. The culinary building needs work on its doors so they slide easily.The home arts building needs a new coat of paint and the floors refinished. The money is also for installing automatic toilets, primarily in the women's restrooms.
As the 2009 Legislature gets under way next year, the county commissioners have proposed $2,353 for a legislative intern to track bills of importance to Missoula County. The county has monitored bill progress the last three legislative sessions, said Commissioner Jean Curtiss.
Also, the commissioners requested $2,500 for new furniture in the incoming chief administrative officer's office. Bickell will take over that post from Ann Mary Dussault, who is retiring at the end of June after nearly a decade as the administrative officer. The figure covers the cost of new cabinets, a hutch and computer desk.
“It's not what you'll find in a lawyer's office, but we find you can get adequate furniture for that amount of money,” Curtiss said. “If push comes to shove, we have a warehouse of furniture.”
At the Office of Planning and Grants, they've requested $30,000 to hire specialists to alleviate the workload on staffers should Tom Maclay file the subdivision proposal for the Bitterroot Resort, or if any other large, complex project is submitted in the next year. Commissioners allocated the money to OPG last year expecting Maclay to file, but he didn't.
State law puts a deadline on the amount of time staff has to review subdivision proposals, but it doesn't take into account large projects. If the Bitterroot Resort proposal isn't filed this year, that money will likely roll over into the next year.
Also, OPG has requested $25,000 to establish a growth plan and zone the Orchard Homes area, said director Roger Millar. The planning office has been mapping developable land in Missoula's urban fringe areas. Anticipated growth is headed that direction. The planning staff hopes to work with neighbors to establish a growth plan in the area and then implement the plan through zoning.
“We've seen Orchard Homes as having pretty intense development pressure and no clear plan for moving forward,” he said.
One of the most expensive projects in 2009 will bring Missoula County into compliance with federal disability regulations. The county plans to spend more than $180,000 to upgrade elevators so people who are hard of hearing or can't see can operate them, and to also renovate some of the older buildings to make them ADA accessible.
The county treasury is requesting an additional $20,000 to send out delinquency notices to folks who need to pay their real estate, mobile home and personal property taxes. It's a service the county did several years ago and received positive feedback, said Kim Seeberger, chief deputy treasurer.
The request will cover the expenses to make the payment delinquency notice and postage.
The county is also looking to spend $70,000 to buy two new sedans and a four-wheel-drive SUV. There are about 20 cars in the county's motor pool. These cars replace aging ones; the county is not adding vehicles, Bickell said.
A year ago, the county changed its vehicle purchasing policy. No longer do officials simply accept the lowest bid. They now look at price, mileage, safety and emissions.
Reporter Chelsi Moy can be reached at 523-5260 or at chelsi.moy@missoulian.com.
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