Commission OKs budget

The Vernon County Commission approved the county's budget in a public hearing held Friday morning at the Vernon County Courthouse. No members of the public were present but Presiding Commissioner David Darnold noted that several people had come by to look over the budget in the 10 days it has been available for scrutiny.

Darnold noted that he came into office when the process was already well under way and praised his fellow commissioners Bonnie McCord and Neal Gerster for their work.

Darnold also pointed out the budget was difficult to deal with because it is tied to the state budget. While the county's budget calendar is from January through December the state's fiscal year is from July through June.

"I can tell you from looking through this that Vernon County has the same problems as everyone in the public sector has, the State of Missouri has reduced certain things the county has as revenues," Darnold said.

Several items affected the Vernon County Sheriff's office including the continued Mosmart grant of $50,000, donations for the DARE program, and an Inmate Security Fund. The Sheriff's Revolving Fund failed to materialize after it was voted down by the legislature.

Beth Swopes of the Vernon County Health Department was on hand with the budget for the Health Department so anyone who might have wished to express opinions on it as well would be able to do so without having to go to two different locations. No one from the public was present when Swopes presented the budget for comment.