Commissioners discuss money
Staff writer
County commissioners heard the first wish list for a county budgeting Monday when representatives of the 8th Judicial District asked for $210,294.62.
Chief Judge Ben Sexton told commissioners that court officials had found a $5,000 error in a printed budget request initially presented and that a new request would be submitted by the end of the day.
The court’s request is $475.18 higher than its estimated 2025 budget.
“Cases in Marion County are up,” Sexton said.
Also, the court is doing more mediation, he said.
“Mediation has proved to be very efficient,” Sexton told commissioners.
A new server will be needed in December, when an extended warranty for a server now being used runs out, Sexton said.
Of the amount requested, $113,000 is for indigent services, $5,000 is for additional legal defense, $3,000 is for jury member fees and travel, $200 is for their meals, $2,500 is for witness fees and travel, $300 is for temporary judges when needed to hear cases, and the rest is for office supplies and equipment.
On another money subject, commissioner Kent Becker told treasurer Tina Groening that he’d like to see some of the county’s money market accounts switched to accounts that pay higher interest rates.
Groening said that since taking office, she has been watching accounts and tried to figure out why some accounts are still open, and that she would move money to higher interest-bearing accounts.
Commissioner Clarke Dirks questioned a health department invoice from Patagonia, an outdoor clothing company, and Becker said he’d like to see commissioners have a voice in negotiating health department contracts. They agreed to have department head Krista Schneider attend next week’s meeting to explain the Patagonia contract.