Sheriff Becker submits decreased budget proposal
Sheriff Lee Becker presented an estimated budget for this year and a proposed one for 2004 to Marion County commissioners Monday.
His estimate for this year was about $7,000 over the budgeted amount, at $459,738.09. However, Becker said the jail population is "down," so costs for housing inmates, meals, and medicines may be significantly less than expected and lower the 2003 bottom line.
Lately the jail population has ranged from two to five inmates.
His budget proposal for 2004 totals $443,668.85, more than $16,000 less than his estimate of this year's total.
Personal services (wages) make up $295,279.60 of the total. This figure is unchanged from the 2003 amount. If a 2 percent raise in wages is figured in, the budget total would rise by nearly $6,000.
Becker said he expects to need to buy one used vehicle from the Kansas Highway Patrol in 2004, for $13,000 to $15,000. He also foresees equipment costs of $2,000.
The sheriff's department came in under budget in 2002, and hopes and expects to do so again this year, Becker said.
Other budgets
Northview Developmental Services and Prairie View also presented budget requests Monday.
Stan Zienkewicz asked that Marion County increase its support for the Newton-based agency from $54,500 in 2003 to a full mill ($91,000-plus) for 2004.
Northview now serves 130 children and adults with developmental disabilities in Harvey and Marion counties.
There are estimated to be 13 adults and six children still needing the service, Zienkewicz said. He did not say which county these 19 people live in.
The Northview payroll is $3.124 million for 209 employees, who primarily live and do business in Harvey County, he said.
Brad Bartel of Hillsboro represents Marion County on the Northview board of directors.
Mel Goering of the hospital staff made the presentation on behalf of Prairie View.
He said Prairie View's services are not just for severely mentally ill children and adults.
Medicaid dollars come 40 percent from the state, 60 percent from the federal government, he said. Overall health insurance costs rapidly are driving Medicaid costs higher, he said.
He said a total of 779 people from Marion County received Prairie View services in 2002. Of these, 202 received services by way of Marion County tax funds, and the rest through Medicaid or Medicare, private funds, or private insurance.
He asked for $60,000 in 2004 from Marion County, up about $7,000 from this year's total. He said 31 percent of those served from this county last year were 18 or younger. Sixteen percent were 65 and older.
Depression is the No. 1 ailment treated in clients from Marion County, he said. It leads, nationwide, to a tremendous loss of workplace productivity, but is "very treatable," Goering said.
This is "the only specialty mental health service going" in Kansas, he said. It will celebrate 50 years of service next year, March 11-14, he said.
Northview Developmental Services will be 50 years old next year, Zienkewicz said.
