Daniel Prince
Computers, training, and inflation are factors in increased requests
Union County Council held its first budget work session of the year Tuesday. They heard from elected officials and from the Union County Magistrate’s Office. Many requested increases from the elected officials were due to rising costs due to inflation. Probate Judge Toni Horne Allen said her requested budget is up less than $4000. Part of that is due to increased training costs, and there is an increase in office supplies as she is having to move some files and box them up for storage, which is incurring some added costs. Her office needs a new computer, as well. Supervisor Phillip Russell said that all computers will be put on a lease-purchase agreement for capital expenditures so the county won’t have to front the entire cost of all the computers but can pay for them over time and replace them as needed.
Clerk of Court Melanie Lawson said her office needs six computers upgraded. She needs more money for training, as well, as she noted she has several new employees, and no one in the common pleas court has experience now. She is also having to move around her office to secure some files, so she asked for additional money for flooring and paint. She asked, as she says she has every budget year, for an armed officer for the courthouse. She said she had an $80,000 wish list item for digitizing deed books. Three books are in really bad shape, and she said she asked Rep. Doug Gilliam if the state could help. He has requested $20,000 to help preserve them. The deed books in her office date back to 1785.
Treasurer Debbie Robertson said most of her expenses and added budget requests are due to the upcoming move to the old South State Bank building. She said she is not looking forward to it, particularly the drive-through window aspect. Many of her requests were for additional equipment for the drive-through. She said the office may not be able to accept debit or credit cards at the window due to security issues and the length of time it would take to make the transactions happen.
Auditor Brad Valentine said he is excited about the move, and he noted that his budget requests have remain unchanged since his very first budget request back in 2003-2004.
The Union County Coroner’s Office requested an increase largely due to autopsy expenses, which cost the office $1700 a trip. The request was up a little more than $8000 from the previous year.
The Union County Magistrate’s Office requested a golf cart that their personnel can use to go up and down Main Street in the rain. He noted that they have a car, but parking can be an issue, and he said he felt a golf cart would suit their needs much better. He asked for new carpet in the downstairs courtrooms, an increase in the training and travel budget, and money for two new courtroom recording devices. The supervisor said that will be included in the lease-purchase order, as well.
We’ll have more from the budget meeting in tomorrow’s newscast.