Livingston County budget draft shows deficit
Wednesday, October 24, 2007 4:08 PM CDT
PONTIAC -- A draft version of the Livingston County budget shows a half-million-dollar shortfall, but officials believe the difference is from careful budgeting.
The County Board saw the draft last week. It calls for a general operating fund total of $8,975,296 with expenses of $9,343,224, leaving a deficit $407,928.
Finance Committee Chairwoman Dee Woodburn said the 2006 budget showed a deficit of $370,000, but year-end audit showed an excess of more than $210,000.
“That change was primarily from revenues,” Woodburn said. “We budget revenues conservatively and we budget expenses in order to make sure we are able to cover them. I think we are in a good area.”
The budget does not include a nursing home levy to run Livingston Manor, a county-owned and -operated nursing home. About $550,000 will be transferred from the nursing home construction fund, which is estimated at $23 million, to the levy.
In total, the county expects to receive $6,757,717 from property taxes.
The contingency fund, which is used for unexpected needs, was raised from $100,000 to $250,000. Woodburn said any unused money can boost the fund balance, which is projected to end at $1,316,992.
The draft is available for public viewing in the offices of the County Board and the County Clerk, both in the Livingston County Courthouse.
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