2010 will be a year of firsts for Carroll County government. It will signal the first year the county will plan how to utilize the cumulative capital improvement fund. Also it will be the first year the county council will have a line item in the commissioner's budget for independent legal counsel. It may even be the first year that Carroll Manor will survive on facility-generated income and no taxpayer money, except what is needed to pay for indigent county residents and some non-recurring building maintenance.

Commissioners and council members met in joint session Monday morning, led by council president Ann Brown, to discuss the development of a cum cap budget, Carroll Manor, hiring a county manager and a separate budget for the county council apart from the commissioners.

"We're doing this the old fashioned way," Brown said. "We are using poster board and a black marker."

She explained the meeting was designed to come to an agreement about adding various line items to the county budget beginning in 2010. Brown said that, although some suggested new budget line items might be added, the inclusions would not necessarily be funded in 2010. The budget plan did not come without compromise, however.

Separate council budget

Council members expressed a desire to spend from a budget separate from the commissioners for needed council expenses. Commissioners expressed concern that there would be no oversight for a separate budget. A compromise was reached to include line items in the commissioner's budget that will accommodate the needs of the council, including independent legal counsel.

County manager

The council proposed that a parttime county manager be hired. Members maintained the county would see a return on the salary investment in the first year. Commissioners were not in agreement until more details, such as where the person would work and what would be included in a job description could be provided.

Bill Brown said he had trouble with creating another position to fund.

"At this time, I can't vote for a (county) manager," he said. "But I'm willing to consider it.

"This starts all of us thinking about it," Ann Brown replied. "It's going to take some planning."

The matter was tabled for 2010.

Carroll Manor

Council members suggested the 2009 dedicated appropriation of $289,342 for Carroll Manor be removed from the general fund and put in the commissioner's budget. Brown explained the move would "free up" $189,342 for other services, such as ambulance services. It was further recommended the appropriation amount be changed to $50,000, which would act as seed money to begin the year while income to pay bills was received and another $50,000 be included to pay for indigent county residents.

She suggested the Manor could rent unused space given the facility is approved to house more residents than the population number has ever achieved. She said the commissioners could charge other counties when their residents are housed at the facility.

Scott Ayres noted to fellow council members that the council receives information about Manor income without being provided expense income. He said it was difficult to understand the complete financial picture with partial information.

Although commissioners did not dismiss the concept, they were hesitant to make a sudden change. It was decided both budget suggestions would be included in the budget proposals and a decision would be reached when the final 2010 budget is developed. Cumulative capital improvement fund

In the past, one or both bodies would realize a need and tap into cum cap to fund it, however there was no plan about how much should be used from the fund each year and no priority list of projects. The commissioner body is the first to recommend an expense from the fund and the council must approve the action.

Both arms of the local government will now have a clear direction and understanding of how the fund will be used. After courthouse roof repairs are completed, the cum cap fund balance at the end of 2009 is expected to be roughly $853,259 from a beginning balance of $1,071,823 and revenue of $280,000 (considered a constant each year). It was agreed by commissioners and council to include $60,064 in the 2009 cum cap spending for insulation and window replacement at the Manor to reduce utility bills, which would make income received go further.

The end of the year balance for 2010 is expected to reach $1,021,000. A $50,000 expenditure for ambulance replacement was included in the budget. Council member Ron Slavens reported the township group working to restore the ambulance service to the previous level has dedicated close to $60,000 each year for the next three years, beginning in 2010.

Spending for a jail roof, two sheriff's cars, Circuit Court carpet and basement fencing in the courthouse were included in the 2011 budget plan which would produce an end-of-the year balance of approximately $1,188,000.

Bill Brown thanked the council for initiating the joint meeting upon conclusion.

"I understand this a lot better now," he said.

Commissioners will meet in regular session Tuesday, July 7 at 9 a.m. Council will meet July 21 at 8:30 a.m.