Jasper County adopts 'proposed' budget
By SHARON KERR Staff Writer

The Jasper County Commissioners court adopted a 2008 proposed budget based on the effective tax rate; both tax and budget remain "proposed" until the vote Sept. 10 at the regularly scheduled public meeting beginning at 9 a.m.

The total budget for the county is $13,045,821.

In round numbers that breaks down to $7.7 million for the general operating fund; $2 million for road and bridge general fund, $2 million for road and bridge general fund, $1.9 million for the special road fund, $409 thousand for indigent health care, $288 thousand for debt service, and $637 thousand for other funds.

The "other" category includes everything from the law library to airports.

Copies of the budget are available at the county judge and county clerk's office, at public libraries and at each precinct commissioner's office.

The budget includes a five percent pay increase for county employees and several additional increases for extra help for county and district clerks, and overtime and extra help for the sheriff's department.

Additional funds were allocated for a county auditor's assistant and another full-time deputy.

The county budgeted $28,714 for a full time systems administrator in a newly-created data processing department.

All six justice of the peace clerks will receive an increase of $2,267 each, and foremen and laborers in each precinct will receive an increase of less than one percent on top of their five percent increase. The county jail administrator received a $966 increase in addition to her five percent raise.

Total budget for 2008 salaries is $4.426 million, and when hazard, longevity, travel and holiday pay are included, it is $4,790,998. Annual health insurance premiums total $1.3 million.