CALHOUN FACES CRITICAL BUDGET PROBLEMS - Contracts Signed For Digest Funds

(03/07/2003)

By Bob Weaver After Calhoun County having a good audit last year, the regional jail bill being paid down to zero dollars and $17,000 in the black at the end of fiscal 2002 - the county faces critical problems with this years budget. The Calhoun Commission will be meeting with county officials and others whose operating funds come from budgeted money. The meetings for the 2003-04 budget are scheduled for March 10 and March 12 at 4 p.m. Increased costs of operation and mandates continue to push the problem in Calhoun, with stagnant growth and equally stagnant taxation. It is an underlying issue in most of West Virginia's rural counties. The problem is also driven by 35,000 jobs leaving the state in 2002. Nearly all of Calhoun's employees earn just above minimum wage or what is generally considered "poverty" wages, with the county struggling to pay for health care as a benefit. The employees provide a huge amount of service, for little money. On the bright side, after considerable delay, County Clerk Richard Kirby says contracts have just been signed for Budget Digest grants acquired by Del. Bill Stemple to: Upper West Fork VFD - $5,000 Arnoldsburg VFD - $5,000 Upper West Fork Park Campground - $7,000 Arnoldsburg Park Ball Field - $10,000

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