A specially scheduled meeting took place on Friday morning in order for the Carbon County Commissioners to review an adjustment of the 2017 budget as well as approve a tentative 2018 budget. The 2018 budget has been a hot topic in Carbon County recently, due to proposed tax increases that the majority of the community does not approve of.
During the meeting, it was expressly stated by the commissioners and County Attorney Christian Bryner that this meeting is not an approval of the 2018 budget indefinitely. It was also expressed that this is not a public hearing and comments from the community were not taken during the meeting.
Commission Chair Jae Potter informed those in attendance that the 2018 budget does not include the proposed tax increases at this time. He also expressed to the crowd that a letter was received from the state auditor this morning containing recommendations and suggestions to the county. The state auditor had recently made a visit to Carbon County and spent three days working with the clerk auditors office and commission.
County Clerk Seth Oveson then presented the budget revisions and tentative adoptions to the commissioners and attendees. Oveson also stated that a copy of the budget will be posted online by Friday evening and a physical copy would be available to be picked up at the county clerk’s office.
Corrections for the 2017 budget came from departments such as parks and public properties, commission budget, resource management planning, the recorders office and more. A total of $20,000 came from the clerk auditors office alone, due to an employee retiring.
A copy of all adjustments may be found on the county website and in the clerk’s office. Once the presentation was completed, Oveson asked the commissioners if they had further questions. Attorney Bryner stated that the commissioners were unable to approve the 2017 adjustments until a public hearing could be hosted at a later date.
Commissioner Potter then reminded those in attendance that a public hearing is again taking place on Dec. 13 where the community can voice their opinions on the tax increase proposal and proposed budgets. Final approval will take place on Dec. 20.
Over 14 million dollars was reviewed by the clerk’s office. Budgets from departments including, but not limited to, drug court, ambulance services, public health (contracted through Southeast Utah Health Department), Mental Health(contracted through Four Corners Community Behavioral Health) and more were presented.
At the end of the meeting, the tentative 2018 budget was approved by the commissioners.