Putnam Commission hears budget proposals in excess of $16.3M

WINFIELD, W. Va. -- Putnam County Commission heard budget proposals in excess of $16.3 million Tuesday from county department heads. Several work sessions are planned to determine final awards over the next several weeks.

Parks and Recreations Director Scott Williamson requested just over $396,000, as well as to continue receiving half of the hotel-motel tax, to run his department.

"We're trying to be fiscally responsible," Williamson said.

With this fiscal year's budget, Williamson anticipates offering 35 days of activities, to address payroll increases, and to catch up on overdue maintenance.

"I'm trying to get parks to be a destination," Williamson said.

Though not present, County Administrator Brian Donat said he expects the County Health Department to request $115,000 plus a one time addendum of $40,000 for two new pickup trucks that were damaged in a wreck in 2007.

Donat also anticipated the Putnam Library fund requests to increase slightly to $163,000 for the upcoming year.

Jamey Hunt, director of the Putnam County Day Reporting Services, requested $100,000 in budget support from the commission.

The program works to treat substance abusers by offering guidance, structure, and support while the individuals participate in rehabilitation.

"Our program has grown by leaps and bounds," Hunt said.

Day Reporting Services serves roughly 80 offenders including circuit, magistrate and family court system offenders.

Gary Walton, Development Authority executive director, said his department is requesting the same amount of funding, $185,000, as last year's budget, even with the hiring of two new staff members. No new expenditures are expected.

Brian Wood, county clerk, is requesting funds well under budget from last year, with office needs at $556,771 and election funds at $180,663.

Assessor Peachy Arthur asked for about a $30,000 increase from last year at just over $473,000. Arthur said the majority of changes he's looking at are in salary and increment increases for his staff.

Mark Smith, sheriff, is requesting an increase in funds for all areas of his budget. For the tax office, Smith said court-ordered conservator responsibilities have and will continue to increase significantly, potentially leading to the need for a full-time employee position. In addition, new computers are needed for staff. For the sheriff's department, the total budget request was about $500,000.

In law enforcement, Smith anticipates the largest cost to be for gas and vehicle needs. Smith said the department would like to purchase three new SUVs and three additional cruisers in the upcoming year. Additionally, the drug unit has never had a clerical unit, and he is hopeful to hire a part-time employee if funds are available. His current request for this department is $2,671,286.

For home confinement, $166,280 is being requested to address primary needs for overtime, salary, gas, and the supply budget related to drug testing.

For process servers, overtime and a need for desktop computers resulted in budget requests of $64,007.

The total budget request for all Smith's departments was just over $3.4 million.

The circuit clerk's office made a request of $495,908 focused mostly on salary increases and equipment needs.

Prosecutor Mark Sorsaia anticipates experiencing unwelcome changes in the upcoming fiscal year. He said the federal budget that normally covers training costs for his staff has been eliminated, grant funds usually available to help in drug management have been cut, and mandated victim advocate funds are expected to be cut and potentially zeroed out. In addition, one of his attorneys has resigned effective this week. Additionally, his office is looking into computerized retention of documents. Budget projections for the prosecutor's office were submitted just under last years numbers at $797,616.

In other news, the county's community prescription drug plan was noted to have saved residents $6,141 in January alone. Area pharmacies and the Putnam Commission office have these cards available for free.

High-speed Internet service is expected to become available through Verizon and FiberNet in the spring for the business park and surrounding area in Frazier's Bottom.

Construction is anticipated to begin on a condominium complex called Gables of Teays Valley across from Halfway Market on Great Teays Road. The anticipated purchase price for these two- and three-bedroom units is expected to start at roughly $170,000.

Putnam County Floodplain Management Program Ordinance revisions were adopted during the meeting. There have been no changes in the ordinance since 1987. The new ordinance will require new construction to be built two feet above the flood plain and, as a result, is anticipated to encourage significant savings on insurance fees.

Paul Callahan was voted two-to-one to serve on the Public Service District Board until August 31, 2013. He is filling a vacancy of Jerry Kelly, who recently passed away.