By Tricia Hartmann

Blanco County Commissioners met in a special meeting on Thursday, September 27, 2012, at 9:00 am. The public hearing was held to discuss the proposed 2012-2013 Blanco County Budget. The fiscal year for Blanco County begins on October 1, 2012 and ends on September 30, 2013.

County Judge Bill Guthrie instructed the commissioners to review the latest budgetary changes from the county auditor. There was a change noted on page 5, entitled “Blanco County Clerk Budget Year 2012-2013” under Deputy Clerk Salary. Although employee salary and benefits were increased in this category, the total County Clerk Budget figures remained unchanged at $154,692.80.

Commissioners also reviewed figures on page 12, entitled “Blanco County Jail Budget Year 2012-2013,” account #114 under Jail Supervisor. A change was noted in this category; however, total salaries remained the same at $421,911.75; this amount included all employee salaries and benefits. The Total Jail Budget figures were also unchanged at $801,628.12.

For Non-Departmental Expenses Budget Year 2012-2013, page 25, Commissioners noted the amount of $10,893.46 under account #524 for Miscellaneous Fund; however, the total amount for Non-Departmental Expenses did not change and that amount remained at $847,345.50.

Judge Guthrie asked commissioners to review the following items on “Summary of General Fund Expenditures Budget Year 2012-2013” on page 36: County Clerk Budget $154,692.80; County Jail $801,628.12; Emergency Management $74,346.18; and Non-Departmental $847,345.50. Commissioners noted that the bottom line for the Total Budget for Summary of General Fund Expenditures Budget Year 2012-2013 remained the same at $5,474.508.11.

County commissioners reviewed the figures on page 37 entitled “Blanco County Road and Pct. #1 Budget Year 2012-2013” for account #299 under Total Employee Benefits in the amount of $39,683.34. Judge Guthrie cautioned the commissioners regarding an error on page 37 in the amount of $15,542.75 pertaining to Bridges. However, according to Judge Guthrie, the “bottom line remains the same at $228,730.88.”

After the commissioners reviewed the changes to the Proposed Budget, Judge Guthrie asked the general public and other interested parties to make comments regarding the Proposed 2012-2013 Blanco County Budget, and there were no comments. Judge Guthrie also asked the Commissioners Court to make any corrections, deletions, and/or additions to the proposed budget; there were none.

County Commissioner Chris Liesmann made a motion to consider accepting the Proposed 2012-2013 Blanco County Budget with any corrections, deletions, and/or additions as noted. The motion was seconded by County Commissioner Paul Granberg, and the motion carried. County Commissioner James Sultemeier made a motion to consider accepting the Proposed Blanco County Budget, County Commissioner John Wood seconded this motion, and the County Commissioners voted to accept the Proposed 2012-2013 Blanco County Budget.