WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
An unprecedented measure in St. Joseph County history was taken this week when county officials approved a two-year budget.
The fiscal-year 2020 budget in excess of $18 million was approved Tuesday by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. In addition, an $18.4 million budget for fiscal year 2021 was OK’d.
The county’s fiscal year starts Jan. 1.
Finance director Angie Steinman said the 2020 budget is about $1 million less than the fiscal year 2019 budget approved a year ago.
Departments receiving the greatest financial allocations next year are the county jail, $2.6 million; sheriff’s department, $2.3 million; district court, $1.3 million; appropriations, $1.1 million; and friend of the court, $1.1 million.
Steinman, who joined the county in February, estimated property taxes – the greatest source of revenue for the county – will be about $9.4 million in 2020.
Commissioners Al Balog and Ken Malone opposed the motion to accept the budgets. They expressed reservations about the funding formula to rebuild the final two miles of Constantine Road in Florence Township.
