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The Henry County Board has approved a county budget that avoids layoffs in the sheriff’s office.
The board had discussed budget cuts that would have made it necessary to lay off three deputies and two dispatchers in the sheriff’s department. But the budget approved Tuesday restored $176,201 that had been cut from the sheriff’s budget, meaning no layoffs will be needed.
The board took the action in front of a standing-room-only crowd in a small courtroom on the first floor of the county courthouse. Before the meeting, several people brought signs and demonstrated on the courthouse grounds against the layoffs.
The 22 board members saved the discussion and vote for the 2012 fiscal year budget until nearly the end of the meeting, and with four proposals in front of the board it was the third proposal that was amended and voted on.
The county was facing a $718,057 deficit, but the board was told that there is a 90 percent certainty that the county will receive $337,744 owed for the second phase of the Invenergy wind farm project by the end of this fiscal year or the beginning of the next one.
A motion was made to reinstate $176,201 to the sheriff’s office, and the budget passed. The county has $2,566,000 in reserves, almost three months of operating funds.
County Administrator Colleen Gillaspie said after the meeting that it is now not anticipated that any county employees will have to be laid off.
In other business:
• Building and maintenance manager Jerry Shannon was presented with a plaque honoring him for his service. Shannon will retire on Nov. 18.
• Hillcrest Home was cited as a five-star skilled nursing care facility with the lowest cost per resident in the county.
• A motion to reduce the county board budget from $195,965 to $125,000 failed.
• A motion failed to remove Election Day 2012 as a holiday for county employees.
• Insurance advisory committee chairman Jim Grier of the Jager Agency in Kewanee informed the board that there is a 29 percent increase in costs due to the workers’ compensation package. Grier noted that there were 135 claims for workers’ compensation in the last four years.
• Dr. David Modder of Kewanee was reappointed county animal control Administrator for the term, Dr. Chris Ryan of Kewanee was reappointed animal control assistant administrator, both for Dec. 1, 2011 to Nov. 30, 2012.
Chief Thomas J. Piotrowski, Dennis Mallum, Dale Croegaert and Carol Zimmerman were reappointed to the 911 Emergency Telephone System Board for Dec. 1, 2011 to Nov. 30, 2015.
• A proclamation was passed designating December as National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month.
The Henry County Board has approved a county budget that avoids layoffs in the sheriff’s office.
The board had discussed budget cuts that would have made it necessary to lay off three deputies and two dispatchers in the sheriff’s department. But the budget approved Tuesday restored $176,201 that had been cut from the sheriff’s budget, meaning no layoffs will be needed.
The board took the action in front of a standing-room-only crowd in a small courtroom on the first floor of the county courthouse. Before the meeting, several people brought signs and demonstrated on the courthouse grounds against the layoffs.
The 22 board members saved the discussion and vote for the 2012 fiscal year budget until nearly the end of the meeting, and with four proposals in front of the board it was the third proposal that was amended and voted on.
The county was facing a $718,057 deficit, but the board was told that there is a 90 percent certainty that the county will receive $337,744 owed for the second phase of the Invenergy wind farm project by the end of this fiscal year or the beginning of the next one.
A motion was made to reinstate $176,201 to the sheriff’s office, and the budget passed. The county has $2,566,000 in reserves, almost three months of operating funds.
County Administrator Colleen Gillaspie said after the meeting that it is now not anticipated that any county employees will have to be laid off.
In other business:
• Building and maintenance manager Jerry Shannon was presented with a plaque honoring him for his service. Shannon will retire on Nov. 18.
• Hillcrest Home was cited as a five-star skilled nursing care facility with the lowest cost per resident in the county.
• A motion to reduce the county board budget from $195,965 to $125,000 failed.
• A motion failed to remove Election Day 2012 as a holiday for county employees.
• Insurance advisory committee chairman Jim Grier of the Jager Agency in Kewanee informed the board that there is a 29 percent increase in costs due to the workers’ compensation package. Grier noted that there were 135 claims for workers’ compensation in the last four years.
• Dr. David Modder of Kewanee was reappointed county animal control Administrator for the term, Dr. Chris Ryan of Kewanee was reappointed animal control assistant administrator, both for Dec. 1, 2011 to Nov. 30, 2012.
Chief Thomas J. Piotrowski, Dennis Mallum, Dale Croegaert and Carol Zimmerman were reappointed to the 911 Emergency Telephone System Board for Dec. 1, 2011 to Nov. 30, 2015.
• A proclamation was passed designating December as National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month.
