Bickell, Heumader request $300 increase for circuit court

Nevada Daily Mail

The Vernon County Commission continued work on the budget for the new year with a visit from Circuit Court Judge James Bickel and Courts Administrator David Heumader, Tuesday morning.

The 28th Circuit Court, which covers four counties, will end 2014 with about $12,000 in reserve, but decided to keep the 2015 budget virtually the same instead of assuming it would again receive that much revenue and not face other expenditures.

Each year the budget includes $5,000 that would be used if another county decided to challenge the budget. Bickel said most years that sum is not used and so becomes a surplus at the end of the year. They also must be prepared in the case of a trial when they must provide for jurors.

The circuit court increased the 2014 budget about $300 for 2015 for a total of $114,214 for the year.

"That's hardly any increase in the budget," Bickel said of the slight raise.

Though Vernon County will cover the expenses for the 28th Circuit Court, they will then be divided among the counties in the circuit, which also includes Barton, Cedar and Dade counties. The budget will be divided among the four counties with Vernon County at 38.17 percent, Barton 22.38 percent, Dade 14.22 percent and Cedar County 25.23 percent of the 2015 budget. The three counties will refund Vernon County on a monthly basis.

Heumader said in 2015 they expect to make purchases such as new computers and a new laptop for the court reporter. He said the laptop currently in use is obsolete. They also budgeted for a new chair, file cabinet as well as maintenance and program updates for the court reporter. Other offices including the circuit judge, court administrator and juvenile office expect to make purchases including a fax machine, chair and floor mat. They also budgeted a $7,500 expense for the relocation of a front counter.

The court reporter budget for 2015 totals $4,900 and with the circuit and juvenile courts portion of the budget, expenses are projected at $153,214.

The court does look forward to the possibility of receiving grant money to make up the difference between the projected expenditures and revenue. They project to receive about $39,000 in grant reimbursement, some of which would likely be used to retain those waiting for trial.

"I do think these grants will help hold the retention costs down," Bickel said.

During the budget meeting, retiring County Clerk Tammi Beach went through the process with Mike Buehler, who will replace her in 2015.

The county commission will listen to other budget proposals from county staff Friday, including the county recorder, collector and treasurer, bridge foreman, county clerk, county assessor and public administrator. The commission previously accepted proposals from the recycling center and the chamber of commerce.