Overall, Lyon County commissioners received a good February financial report during Thursday morning’s action meeting but by the end of the year, some funds could be of concern.
Bobbie Agler and Christie Miller of A&M Consultants delivered the county’s financial report. The county started off 2009 with $11,162,000 in the general fund and has $14,403,000 currently. Agler said revenues are a lower than last year by about $500,000. In comparison, expenditures were $5,100,000 last year and $5,200,000 this year. However, the county has made a $500,000 payments on bonds.
Agler said overtime is about $1,033 under the pro-rated budget this year but is higher than last year by $12,000, which represents a 23 percent increase. Agler said the amount of overtime depends on weather and other factors.
County Controller Dan Slater expressed concern over the county’s multi-year capital outlay fund that the county uses to purchase long-term assets. He said the fund currently is at $3,770,000. However, this fund could fall below $1,500,000 by the end of the year, which is about the minimum a county can afford, Slater said.
Agler said the county is on track for revenue and expenses. The county still is experiencing a shortfall from sales tax, as the new 1-cent sales tax won’t be collected until later this year.
In other matters, commissioners discussed the submission of stimulus funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The county decided to submit four requests to the Kansas Department of Transportation:
• South Avenue near Prairie Street. The project cost is $621,400 with a $146,400 match from Lyon County.
• Road G from approximately Road 180 for overlay for a total project cost of $1,341,250 with a county match of $40,000.
• Road F from Road 245 to US Highway 56 for overlay for a total project cost of $2,260,000 for a county match of $62,000.
• Road 175 from the Interstate 35 off ramp at the east edge of Emporia east to county line for repair and overlay for a total project cost of $1,799,700 with a $54,000 county match.