Proposed Whitley budget has first reading [The Times-Tribune, Corbin, Ky.]

May 24--CORBIN -- Whitley County's proposed $14.2 million budget had its first reading by officials Thursday.

The proposed 2010-2011 budget, which was read during the Whitley County Fiscal Court meeting, varies little from the current year's budget, according to Jeff Gray, Whitley County treasurer.

The three funds getting the highest appropriations are the general, jail and road funds.

About $3.3 million, or about 23 percent, is slated for the county's general fund. The jail fund will get about $2.8 million, or about 20 percent, and the road fund will get about $2.2 million, or about 16 percent.

The budget also includes $60,000 for the Whitley County Tourism Board and $2,650 in contingent appropriations for that board.

With its existing reserve, the tourism board, which formed last year, has a total proposed budget of $90,600 for the upcoming fiscal year.

Judge-Executive Pat White Jr. said the county has two debt service payments remaining, fewer than when he first took office. Those remaining payments are for the jail and post office project.

While reviewing the proposed Whitley County Public Library Budget, David Myers, 2nd District magistrate, asked whether that library could share some of the more than $1 million it has earmarked for a building project with the currently underfunded Corbin Public Library expansion.

Myers, who said the county library has no current building proposal, said he had approached that library's board once and will do so again to ask about funding the Corbin project.

Magistrates opted to table the county library budget to give Myers the opportunity to approach the county's library board.

A public budget hearing will be held June 10. Final approval of the budget is expected during the fiscal court's next regular meeting on June 15.

The court also approved Bluegrass Health as the county's new health insurer. The new plan's monthly premium will be about $496 per employee.

The new plan raises the deductible from $500 to $2,500 and decreases the total out-of-pocket expense from $3,000 to $2,500.

White, who said the county has been paying about $427 monthly for each employee, said the county obtained quotes from three insurers and early quotes were more than $600 monthly.

While the county pays the health premium for its 112 employees, those employees are responsible for paying the premiums for spouses and children.

In other business:

--The court approved transfers of up to $100,000 to the Whitley County Detention Center through June 30 to cover operating expenses. The transfer was required due to a drop in revenue from the state.

--The court approved a $55,000 advance to the Whitley County Sheriff's Department to cover operating expenses. Magistrates were told the advance will be repaid by the end of the year and, if necessary, the fiscal court can deduct that amount from future planned transfers to the sheriff's department. Gray said the advance is typical for this time of year due to shortfalls that occur before property taxes come dues.

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