Fuel costs, 3% raises leave little wiggle room in 2023 county budget
RICHMOND, Ind. — The money goes fast. Too fast.
Wayne County Council members discussed the tight 2023 budget during their Wednesday night workshop. They debated requests for new positions and looked at other requested increases. The fact is, there's just not much wiggle room.
Council expects about $980,000 more in the 2023 budget than in 2022's $54 million budget that included nearly $32 million in the general fund. That number could increase some when the state soon updates income tax funding expectations, but it's nowhere near enough to cover departmental requests that exceed the 2022 budget.
From that extra $980,000, council is reserving about $190,000 for increased fuel costs. The county locks in its fuel costs for the entire year, so it is benefiting greatly while costs rise during 2022. However, 2023's locked-in price promises to be significantly higher than 2022's.
Council also would like to give employees a blanket 3% raise, especially with inflation's current impacts. That's expected to cost about $630,000. County employees also received 3% raises this year.
Subtracting the $190,000 for fuel and the $630,000 for raises from the $980,000 leaves just $160,000.
The departmental budget increases also include some additional 2023 costs that council must fund. Examples of those costs include required retirement payments and housing costs for juvenile offenders in Allen County's facility. That doesn't even take into account increased costs for utilities and goods.
"I think we need to pull out the necessities and see what that number is," said Tony Gillam, who chairs council's finance committee.
The auditor's office prepared council a list of requested increases for the 2023 budget. Council members will review that list to identify what must be paid.
Council member Cathy Williams, a former county treasurer, advocated asking department heads to further trim their budgets. She preferred as treasurer making those decisions herself rather than having council cut her budget. Council decided it would ask department heads to eliminate excesses before council again meets to discuss the budget at 5 p.m. Aug. 24.
In the end, optional items, including new positions, might not be feasible in the final budget unless American Rescue Plan Act dollars can be used. The county has about $2.78 million that isn't committed to the Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program process.
"We have to prioritize the things we're going to have to do," council member Rodger Smith said. "It will take a lot of trimming just to get the necessities taken care of."
This article originally appeared on Richmond Palladium-Item: Fuel costs, 3% raises leave little wiggle room in 2023 county budget
