Two amendments of the 2018 Lyon County budget garnered much attention during the Lyon County Commission’s action session Thursday.
The first proposed amendment sought to allow an additional $300,000 in budget authority for the Road and Bridge Department. According to County Controller, Dan Williams budget amendments such as this are mainly to cover “what if scenarios.”
The additional funds would be available in the case of an emergency situation such as the recent blizzard which covered most of the area just last month. Commissioner Dan Slater says as the yearly budget is often set 18 months ahead, readjusting funds aids county employees in battling factors that can’t always be planned for ahead of time.
The second proposed amendment to the budget was in the amount of $158,750 for the Noxious Weed fund. The Noxious Weed fund provides money for the county to purchase chemicals for farmers and landowners to combat weeds such as field blindweed, Johnson grass, and musk thistle.
Due to the combination of the drought earlier in the year mixed with the high volume of rainfall which took place through the fall, there was a higher demand for chemicals to combat weeds throughout the county. This led to higher than expected amount of revenue coming to the department, however, the high volume of sales also took a toll on the available inventory.
This led to the department having to buy back most chemicals in order to refill the inventory putting the department’s expenses over what was originally anticipated, leading to the need for the budget amendment.
Both items were approved 3-0.
Also during the meeting commissioners recognized 41 county employees for their years of service to the county. The annual recognition ceremony saw four individuals celebrating 30 years, one recognized for 25 years, four recognized for 20 years, seven individuals were recognized for their 15 years, while 10 employees gained recognition for 10 years of service and 15 celebrated five years.
In other business, commissioners reviewed information on a 2002 Caterpillar 140H motor grader, considered approval for the payment of $13,354.00 for the annual fire alarm systems inspection and considered approving a resolution abating taxes from 2018 Sherrif’s sale.
Seven executive sessions also took place.
The commission’s next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 20 at 8 am inside the Lyon County Courthouse.
