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Local News

Barry County 2018 budget adopted, balanced at $16,662,301.

 Completing a process that began in May, the Barry County Commissioners unanimously passed the 2018 balanced budget on Oct. 24, with anticipated general fund revenues and expenses of $16,662,301.

The document was presented by Administrator Michael Brown with a detailed overview of the general fund.

 

County Commissioner and Chairman Ben Geiger credited the county’s stable financial condition to Brown’s budgeting skills.

 

 “Michael Brown is a tremendous asset to Barry County and is widely respected for his knowledge, expertise and leadership in local government issues,” he said.

 

Some excerpts of his report.

The county engaged Michigan State University to conduct a Financial Analysis and Forecast Report for future revenues centered on property taxes in 2011. The county adopted the report, and with an update in 2014, has used it as a financial tool every year since, he said.

Brown credited the MSU report for the county being able to maintain spending levels at or below annual revenue amounts and not having to use the general fund to balance the budgets.

 

Projections for 2018 revenues came from analysis of current revenues, the history of the revenues, state of the economy and many other influences to incorporate all the known factors affecting the county’s income and be as accurate as possible, so services will not be reduced unnecessarily and future budget amendments minimized, Brown said.

 

Revenues are budgeted at realistic levels, neither underestimating or overestimating to avoid having to make difficult choices about reducing services, if required.

Property taxes, licenses and permits and federal and state income, charges for service and rents and interest are the sources of income for the county. General fund expenditures for 2018 are projected to fund current staffing and continuation of current levels of spending.

 

The county’s Standard and Poors Global Ratings affirmed its AA rating with a stable outlook. “Given historical budget performance and forward-looking planning, we do not expect to change the rating during the two year outlook horizon,” it said.//                                                                                                                                               

Also last week, the commission approved:

* $15,000 to the Workforce Development programs. *contracting medical examiner services from the pathology department of WMU Homer Stryker MD Medical School.

* a one-year contract extension with Rehmann auditors for $38,200 to complete the 2017 audits and then to seek proposals from auditing firms for a five-year-contract.

* the Barry County 2017 apportionment report

* an Emergency Management Performance grant for 2017

* 2018 state grant contracts for Barry County specialty courts.

* updates to the county IT technology policy

* Farmland and Open Space Preservation program (PA 116) requests from Ronald and Amanda Hoeksma in Irving Township, and Kristopher and Stacy Javor, Burdock Hill Land LLC, and John and Elizabeth Lenz, for property in Carlton Township.

 

 

 

 

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