FARMINGTON – County commissioners set the unorganized territory budget for 2015-16 with a 3-0 vote, following a review by the state.
The budget totals $1.18 million, which represents an increase of a little more than $55,000. The few changes included relatively minor changes, additional funding for the E911 system coordinator, $15,000 for the Calvin Grey Bridge reserve account, funds for an expected increase in snow removal in Madrid, Washington and Perkins townships, along with a small increase in a few fire department line items.
The budget includes the transfer of roughly $200,000 out of the UT’s general unassigned fund account into four UT reserve accounts. The state has been requesting that counties overseeing portions of the UT reduce their unassigned fund surplus by either assigning them to reserve accounts or using them to reduce the tax rate.
The transfers approved include $20,427 into the perambulation account used to pay surveyors, $2,120 into the Reed Mills Road account, $5,000 into the E911 reserve account and $150,000 into the paving reserve account.
The UT budget is due by Dec. 31. The total amount is $1,181,057.
In another decision, commissioners voted 2-1 to contract with IEC, Inc. for the dispatch center’s general electrical needs. Two other companies, Meader Electric, LLC and RDM Electric, LLC , submitted bids for general maintenance, including the center’s generator, and to perform inspections as needed.
Commissioner Gary McGrane argued to go without a contract and call any of the companies as needed, but commissioners Fred Hardy and Clyde Barker said that would be “pretty risky,” especially if an electrician is needed quickly “and you’re not on their list they may not be able to respond,” Hardy said. By a 2-1 vote, IEC will get the contract because they have a larger crew and have worked for the county before, Barker and Hardy noted.
