Commission continues to work on budget proposal

Ideas ranging from moving the dispatch center out of the sheriff's office to cutting a position at the Alleghany County Board of Elections were discussed Monday night during a budget meeting of the Alleghany County Commission.

The commissioners agreed to add several items back into their budget, including positions at the Alleghany Tax Office, Department of Social Services and the Alleghany County Sheriff's Office. Those positions and a position in the building inspections department were eliminated in a budget proposal earlier crafted by County Manager Don Adams and presented to the board. The commissioners did not add the building inspections position back to the budget.

In addition, the commissioners' proposal restored all of the county employees' longevity and holiday pay and restored funding to a number of local organizations. Those included the Alleghany County Library, Alleghany County Health Department, Wilkes Community College, Alleghany Council on Aging, Smokey Mountain Mental Health (New River Behavioral Healthcare), and Alleghany Group Homes.

The commission also agreed to give the fire commission $90,000 to match grant funding for the purchase of needed safety equipment.

While discussions were held concerning other organizations receiving funding, all of which were slated to get a 35 percent cut under the budget proposal crafted by the county manager, the commision tentatively agreed to cut those groups by 10 percent. The county also agreed to increase funding to the Alleghany Board of Education to its 2008-2009 level.

The county's fee schedules were discussed during the meeting and the commission agreed to increase EMS fees on a recommendation given to them earlier by EMS Director Linda Edwards. Under the new plan, the fee will increase to $10 per mile from $8 per mile. The per-mile charge is only accessed when a patient is on board.

Meanwhile, the fee for basic life support will increase from $200 to $250, advanced life support level 1 increased from $300 to $400, advanced life support level 2 increased from $450 to $550, and specialty care transport increased from $450 to $550. The commissioners agreed to continue their discussions next Monday night directly following a joint meeting with the Sparta Town Council at the Town Hall at 7 p.m. At the end of that meeting, the commissioners will then go to their meeting room and further talk about the budget.

At the beginning of the meeting, Chair Ken Richardson stressed that the budget remains a work in progress. "Nothing is finalized until the final vote on June 30...it still could be changed," he said.

As for the discussion on moving dispatch, the county manager said he had already informed the sheriff, David "Squeak" Edwards, that the matter would be discussed.