The Saline County Commission will have much to consider when beginning work on the 2021 budget later this year.
That is the sentiment that came out of the commission's second meeting this morning after a five-year financial projection briefing by County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes.
"Commissioners will have to take a lot into consideration when preparing the 2021 budget with several competing projects such as the emergency radio system, employee benefits, potential Jail project, and Road & Bridge needs," the county's report of the meeting noted.
During the briefing, Commissioner Jim Weese said, "This projection isn’t so much about the numbers, it’s about the message that we’ll have some choices to face."
Other business from this morning's two county commission meetings includes the following, according to the county's meeting report.
Commission Chair Robert Vidricksen announced that the county is seeking expression of interest forms from citizens who have an interest in serving on the Saline County Crime Victims’ Fund Board. The board assists with fiscally aiding victims of crimes and assists in the review of applications of victims applying to receive funds that are derived from diversion fees and reimbursements or restitution collected from offenders. Interested citizens can fill out the form online at: http://www.saline.org/Government/County/Expression-of-Interest.
Commissioners also received information about the history and financials of the county owned property located at the southeast corner of South Ohio Street and East Schilling Road. According to the county information, there is just a little more than 300 acres that is leased for farming currently and a small portion leased to a flying club; but the revenues generated from those leases go into two separate funds. Commissioners also learned of additional stipulations on 200 acres of the property should the county decide to sell it or no longer use it for farming purposes, based on an interlocal agreement that was entered into with the City of Salina around 1994, the meeting information noted.
Smith-Hanes also provided an update to commissioners about the current renovations at the senior center, which are now in their fourth week. Smith-Hanes told the commissioners that good progress had been made on the kitchen and bathroom renovations.
Additionally, commissioners met in executive session for attorney/client privilege related to the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of property.