County passes $11.9 million budget

The Franklin County Commission passed a $11.9 million operating budget Monday that officials said was tight, but manageable.

“Our department heads did a very good job working with us during this past year’s budget and I know they will work hard to help us stay in line with this one as well,” Probate Judge Barry Moore said.

“It is tight and we will have to watch it close.”

The Franklin County Commission annual budget for FY 2011-2012 will be $11,929,510.35 and is divided as follows:

General Fund – $5,987,787.70

Solid Waste Department – $2,432,479.04

Highway Department – $3,509,243.61.

The difference needed to balance this year’s budget will come from transfers from the Capital Improvements Fund, Public Buildings Fund, Public Highway and Traffic Fund, and fund balance brought forward from last fiscal year.

The budget includes any step raises due in the 2011-2012 fiscal year, but does not include across the board cost of living raises for county employees.

There was also no health insurance increase in the new budget.

Also included in the budget are capital outlay items for the Sheriff’s Department, Highway Department and Solid Waste Department.

The county commission will also implement a hiring freeze for the General Fund for the 2011-2012 fiscal year.

“This is something that we will all have to work together on to make sure we live within for the next year,” Moore said. “But it is manageable.”