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CIRCUIT CLERK AND JUVENILE CENTER MONEY ON QUORUM COMMITTEE’S AGENDA

By Ray King/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Friday, July 3, 2009 11:29 PM CDT

A request for additional money to cover maintenance and operational costs for the circuit clerk’s office will be among the items discussed when committees of the Jefferson County Quorum Court meet Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.

They will also discuss a six-month budget for the juvenile detention center.

Regarding funds for his office, Jefferson County Circuit Clerk Lafayette Woods Sr. said in a letter to Vannette Johnson, finance committee chairman, that basic operational costs for the office average $3,500 per month, and he is asking that $40,000 be added to his budget.

Woods said those funds would cover the costs of recording books, file folders, recording paper for deeds and mortgages, wiring for computer workstations, and new office chairs.

Last December, the county’s legislative body approved only a six-month budget for the juvenile center, and is being asked to fund it for the rest of this year.

Sheriff Gerald Robinson is asking for $878,863 for the juvenile center, with most of those funds devoted to salaries and benefits for employees.

A companion ordinance to be considered would add $18,543 to the juvenile center’s education program, because of a change in the state Education Department’s funding formula.

Robinson said the center’s education department is fully state funded, and no county money would be required.

Also on the agenda is a $30,000 supplemental appropriation to county building and grounds, to cover maintenance and operations costs for the rest of the year.

Building and Grounds Superintendent Tom Tidwell said in a letter to County Judge Mike Holcomb that several extra expenditures this year have depleted the budget, including a state mandated requirement for key stop switches in elevators, a high volume of heating and air conditioning repairs, renovating the circuit clerk’s office, repairing the courthouse clock tower motor and over-runs during work on the juvenile courtroom.

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