County commission approves 2010 capital improvement plan

Seward County departmental supervisors requested $114,136 more than budgeted in capital improvement items last month, but commissioners and administrators said they are not worried because not all of the items may be purchased.

The Seward County Commission unanimously approved the 2010 Capital Improvement Plan at Monday night’s regular meeting.

The plan was presented in six budgeted categories: general fund, technology, landfill, health department, rural fire and road and bridge.

The plan reflected capital items requested by department supervisors during a two-day work session held by the commission on Feb. 11 and 12.

General fund, technology requests, and rural fire department
The capital improvement plan for the county's general fund was budgeted at $344,584, however supervisors asked for $458,720. The $114,136 difference was not a worry to Commissioner Jim Rice, because the items are only requests and will not necessarily be bought.

“If every (department supervisor) bought everything they wanted, it would really be tight,” said Rice. “I am sure that they will not (buy everything they want) and will use their judgement. The same thing happened last year. We had a lot of requests and not everything was purchased. I think the department heads understand finances and not to use every nickel they've got.”

County administrator Mary Bloomer said some of the proposed purchases will most likely not to be made in 2010. A $25,000 van, requested by the commission, and a $30,000 ambulance will most likely not be purchased this year, she said. The need for both vehicles can be put on hold.

Bloomer also noted the requests placed by the Restlawn Cemetery were listed as “just in case” and not likely to be purchased unless a scenario of absolute need is presented.

The cemetery requested $105,000 for a water well, backhoe, a used dump truck and a mini-excavator.

“I think with prudent oversight our general capital improvement plan will be just fine,” said Bloomer. “We will just watch it and ensure it operates fine.”

County Chair Joyce Hibler and Rice both feel it is important the department supervisors exercise proper judgement when making capital improvement purchases. Judgement will be the key in keeping in budget.

“In the long run, you will spend more money if you don't take care of what you got,” said Hibler. “We are not going to do any big projects. We are going to take care of what we got in the plan.”

In the technology budget of the capital improvement plan, department supervisors requested less than what was budgeted. Departmental supervisors requested $71,133 less in capital items than budgeted.

Landfill and health department
Both the landfill and health department operate on self-generated revenue to make capital purchases. Even though capital purchases are made from their own revenue, both the landfill and health department must still request items from the commission.

Landfill director Mike Tabor requested exactly $1.7 million to fund equipment, machinery and the construction of Cell No. 2 of the landfill.

Health department director Martha Brown requested $18,850 to purchase workstations, and replace carpet, office furniture and a label printer.

The road and bridge department requested $792,000 to fund projects. Funding for the capital purchases and projects of road and bridge are split between the special highway improvement fund and the road machinery fund.
Between the two funds, Herman has the ability to work with about $1.3 million.

For full story please see Wednesday's Times

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