County Board Adopts $12.5 Million Budget

The Washington County Board adopted a $12,552,417 budget at its meeting last Tuesday that relies on Prairie State Ash Field revenue to make it balanced.

The Prairie State Ash Field Revenue generated $900,000 for the county last year.

Accountant Gary Malawy of Krehbiel & Associates explained that $200,000 was transferred to the Highway Department and $10,000 to Fees Expense. The balance, $690,000, was transferred to Surplus.

The budget was a $195,000 increase in projected income and expenses, compared to last year.

That includes $4,000 for Washington County Senior Services and increasing matching funds for the Highway Department to match state grants for road and bridge projects.

Finance Chairman Gary Suedmeyer said that departments have cut expenses to help balance the budget. The next step would be to cut employees, Suedmeyer said.

Read full board meeting details in this week’s issue.