MOUNT VERNON — In Thursday morning’s meeting of county elected officials, budget issues were discussed briefly and quietly, according to Knox County Commissioner Allen Stockberger. Stockberger said that departmental budget meetings will be scheduled to take place after Commissioner Robert Wise returns from vacation, and finish by the end of the month.
“We have heard the request of the other elected officials for more decisive leadership,” Stockberger said. He said that the commissioners will step up to give departments hit hard by the county’s general fund revenue crunch more guidance through the budgeting process. Though Stockberger cautioned that the numbers reached by the end of October will only be provisional, depending upon end-of-the-year review to make them final, this will give departments time to plan for cuts and changes that may impact employees in the new year. As the departmental budget hearings will occupy the remainder of the month, there will be no overall county budget meeting on Monday, Oct. 26.
In other business, Emily Marth addressed the elected officials to ask them to review their departmental information posted on the Knox County Web site. Some inaccuracies have been reported lately, leading to an effort to make corrections and updates. Officials were asked to submit corrections and/or updates to the county’s information technology providers, who will make the necessary changes to the Web site, according to Commissioner Teresa Bemiller.
One member of the county’s fitness committee voted to disband it, but the remainder of the committee voted to continue it, Stockberger said. The county receives insurance discounts for maintaining an employee wellness program.
Common Pleas Judge Otho Eyster and Clerk of Courts Mary Jo Hawkins met with the commissioners in executive session Thursday regarding the possible implementation of fees which would impact Eyster’s and Hawkins’ departments and employees. Eyster said Thursday that implementation of the fees in question would be on hold, citing pending legislation.
