Fayette County commissioners begin 2014 budget process
Several Fayette County department heads are asking for added staff and equipment as commissioners begin planning how the county will meet its 2014 financial responsibilities.
On Tuesday, Commissioners Al Ambrosini, Vincent Zapotosky and Angela M. Zimmerlink, along with Sam Lynch, county financial consultant, and Amy Revak, chief clerk, met with several department directors to review their proposed budgets and office needs for the upcoming year.
The 2013 budget included $27 million in revenues and expenditures with a 4.514 millage rate.
County Public Defender Jeff Whiteko urged commissioners to consider moving one of his part-time staff attorneys to a full-time position and hire an additional office clerk to aid with increasing responsibilities of the office.
Whiteko said that while state statute requires the county to provide legal representation for those who fall within certain income guidelines, the local Court of Common Pleas has begun assigning clients to the office who are appearing before the judges without legal counsel, regardless of income.
Whiteko said that despite pleadings to the court to seek alternatives, the office has on average added 20 to 30 more cases per month to its workload.
“It’s a burden to our office,” he said, adding that one client assigned to his office had a purported income of $100,000. “That’s more than I make.”
Whiteko added that beginning next year, the office will be covering five full-time and three part-time judicial courtrooms, plus seven magisterial courtrooms, which will require more time by the office staff.
In addition to Whiteko, there are currently six part-time attorneys and three clerks.
Whiteko estimated that to move a current part-time attorney to a full-time position would cost an additional $11,000 with an additional clerk adding about $20,000 to the department budget.
Commissioners did not take any action in the requests. However, Whiteko was asked to schedule a meeting with President Judge John F. Wagner and the commissioners to discuss the added caseload.
Deputy Sheriff James Custer, meanwhile, requested that commissioners consider the purchase of a new van and a used vehicle for the sheriff’s department to replace vehicles that no longer can be repaired.
Last week, a van returning from a prison inmate transfer lost a front wheel and axle, said Custer, and will likely return to the department fleet, but should be replaced.
There was no cost estimate given for the replacement vehicles.
Sheriff Gary Brownfield requested that $10,000 be included in the department budget to allow for overtime payments to deputies who now receive compensation time.
Brownfield said that some longtime deputies have amassed numerous days off because of working additional hours. However, the employees refuse to take the time, opting instead to work.
“I’d like to be able to have (the overtime payment) option,” he said.
Custer, meanwhile, also requested additional funding to replace antiquated security handcuffs, belts and shackles.
Deputy Gary Brownfield Jr., who oversees courthouse security, requested that commissioners consider hiring three full-time security officers to enhance the department staff.
Currently, part-time workers provide security. Brownfield Jr. said that younger employees often leave when they find better paying or full-time employment.
“Last month, we had four people leave,” he said.
The budget process will continue until a spending plan is adopted, said Revak.
A final budget must be approved by Dec. 31.