Maverick County Commissioners Court held 2015-2016 Budget Workshop for $17 Million
By: Jose G. Landa, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2015
Maverick County Commissioners Court held their FYE 2016 budget workshop in which they discussed budget allocations including a possible increase of funding of approximately $50,000 for each of the four precincts’ budgets and a one and a half percent (1 1/2%) pay increase to all county employees, except elected officials among other issues pertaining to the new proposed 2015-2016 Maverick County budget.
During a lengthy budgetary workshop discussion, Commissioners Court and administration detailed the proposed budget being considered for the up-coming fiscal year.
Maverick County Judge David R. Saucedo stated that what was being presented was the proposed 2015-2016 working budget as it currently stands and that it could have some changes before the final budget is approved.
“If you are to request any changes on it, we can address them right now.” said Judge Saucedo.
“We are doing everything possible for the tax increase to fall under $0.500/$100 valuation. We had passed an item that said the possibilities of $0.900/$100 valuation but we’re not looking at that anymore. We’ve been able to cut a lot of cost including the amount of the tax anticipation note. I will even venture to say, barring any curveballs here the last couple of days, we could possibly get this thing done under $0.400/$100 valuation,” adde Judge Saucedo.
Judge Saucedo did state that the new proposed budget didn’t have any significant changes at the department levels and that there had been some savings added on under the insurance portion for this year.
Another add on to the budget is the returning contribution from the Maverick County Solid Waste Authority (MCSWA) of approximately $500,000. The MCSWA Board agreed to contribute $500,000 to the Maverick County general fund account for this coming 2015-2016 fiscal year, which it did not contribute anything last year due to the County Landfill construction of Cell No. 2.
“This budget does include an additional $50,000 for each precinct,” said Judge Saucedo.
Judge Saucedo is proposing that each individual precinct budget be increased from its current $140,000 to $190,000, allocating a much needed $50,000 funds to each of the four precincts.
Maverick County Commissioner Precinct 1 Jerry Morales stated “That will help us out a lot.”
Maverick County Road and Bridge Director Ernesto Guevara presented Commissioners Court a rundown of all operations under his department and advocated for some funding to obtain equipment used in street sweeping maintenance.
Those funds were allocated from the budget to machinery and equipment.
“This budget also includes a one and a half percent (1 1/2%) salary increase for all non- elected county employees. I know it doesn’t sound like much and I apologize to the employees,” said Judge Saucedo.
Another issue that was discussed was specifications on the county’s workman’s compensation package.
The county will also be adding four new employee positions, including one employee position at the Maverick County Tax-AssessorCollector Office and another at the Nutrition Center (cook).
Other items that were discussed during the budgetary process workshop were the revenues generated from the Maverick County Lake and other facilities that are used throughout the fiscal year, service charges administered, and code enforcement revenues derived from non-compliance property cleaning.
Another item that was discussed during the workshop was revenues from the Maverick County Sheriff’s Department, specifically the Tom Bowles Detention Center which is projected to be approximately $2,700,000 for the up-coming fiscal year. This is from detaining prisoners for the U.S. Marshal’s Service and Webb County. These are much needed revenues.
Another item that was discussed was the yearly contribution from Maverick County to the two District Courts department under the category known as Aid to other Governments. Maverick County is one of the three counties that contribute to the operations of two state District Courts. The other two counties are Zavala and Dimmit counties. The three counties share the total costs of operating the two state District Courts on a pro-rated percentage contribution based on the population of each county. Maverick County’s share is 72% while Dimmit County’s share is 12% and Zavala County’s share is 16%.
Judge Saucedo was not in total agreement with what is being requested as Maverick County’s contribution for the two state District Courts for the new fiscal year because Dimmit County had given its Court employees a significant raise since it was enjoying an oil and gas boom, but now was suffering from the decline of the oil and gas industry prices.
Under that line item, Maverick County Auditor Sandra Watkins advised Commissioners Court that currently Maverick County’s contribution stands at $263,000 and that if it is based under the guiding rules of allocation it appears to be low and in need of an adjustment.
Judge Saucedo stated that it would be kept at the current amount of $263,000.
“That’s what we did last year. They said that they would get the rest of the money from the other county that was booming and that’s what they did.” noted Judge Saucedo.
“Well, I’m pretty sure those others aren’t booming right about now,” replied Watkins.
Watkins stated that the monetary allocation should be based on population.
The Maverick County Auditors department stated that 365th Judicial District Court Judge Amado Abascal, III, had indicated that $5,000 more would help.
“See, I don’t understand how that is working because I have an issue with that because I asked this question last year and that’s why we stayed at $263,000. I said, wait a minute, why is another county being allowed to raise the salaries so much, yet we’re going to pay for 72% of what another county decided to do. And the county that proposed that is only paying 12%.” Said Saucedo.
“The County Judge of that other county said we’re going to flip the rest of that bill and I said great but next year I don’t want to be put in a position where you’re going to force me to face 72% of it. And that’s what you’re doing right now. You are doing exactly what I said was going to happen. Ok we already forgot about that year, let’s go charge Maverick County 72% for this year.” Added Saucedo.
“Somebody else said we’ll pay the difference. Our county is doing well. We’re going to grant this raise I said ok, but we as Maverick County don’t want to be held up paying 72%. Great that county did it for that year but from then on, who’s doing it? You are now coming up and saying now we’re asking you to do it.” Added Saucedo.
Saucedo and Watkins further discussed the issue being seen from the county’s contribution obligation for the District Court Program under population allocation.
“Look at aid to governments in 2013, 2014 and look how much it jumped up-$65,000. $65,000 you’re not going to tell me that was an increase in salaries.” Said Saucedo to Watkins.
It’s very easy for another county to say we’re going to give you an X amount of dollars more. Yea, guys but you’re only paying $0.12 cents on the dollar and Maverick County is paying $0.72 cents on the dollar. It’s very easy to do that.” Said Saucedo.
Maverick County is considering increasing its contribution to the two District Courts program by one and a half percent of its already existing contribution of $263,000.
Maverick County will be working with a budget of approximately $17,000,000 ($17 Million) for fiscal year 2015/2016 and are currently seeking to keep the new effective tax rate increase under $0.40/ $100 valuation.
Commissioners Court will be meeting before September 30, 2015 to approve their final budget and tax rate.
