Perry County Board approves deficit budget for coming year, passes solid waste ordinance

The Perry County Board approved the 2014 budget placed on file at the Nov. 7 regular board meeting.

The budget predicts a deficit of $171,782.

County Clerk Josh Gross said the bulk of the potential deficit is attributable to a $100,000 project to re-roof the courthouse, which may not be done in the coming year.

The board stressed that similar deficit budgets have been approved in the past. However, just because an expense is budgeted does not mean the funds get expended.

Gross said it has been the practice to conservatively project revenue. Office holders also do an excellent job of coming in under budget.

In other business, the board:

• passed the solid waste ordinance proposed by Solid Waste Coordinator Becky Tracy in September. The ordinance would require all trucks that pick up waste in Perry County or use the landfill six or more times per year to pay an annual $50 licensing fee. Funds collected from the license stickers would be used to expand the county's recycling program and set up a hazardous household waste collection day in Perry County. Tracy was given permission to publish the proposed ordinance in October.

• heard from Tracy that she will conduct a Christmas tree light recycling program from Nov. 25 through Jan. 13. There will be totes to collect broken strands of tree lights in the Government Building.

• passed a resolution to renew the county's agreement with the State/Federal Surplus Warehouse. There is no cost associated with the agreement which must be renewed every two years.

• passed a resolution renewing the annual contract with United counties Council of Illinois. Total cost for the renewal will be $150 due to status changes and discounts.

• hired Howard and Howard to represent the county in a union grievance.