Red Willow County commissioners and elected officials discussed budgetary needs for 2008-09 at the commissioners' weekly meeting Monday morning.

Fair board secretary Deb Lafferty told commissioners that the Ag Complex roof and foundation are leaking and will need "heavy duty" repairs. Proposed projects on the fairgrounds include new bleachers made with donated metal; updated air conditioning at the Ag Complex; and restroom/shower facilities at the Kiplinger Arena.

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Extension educator Mary K Warner said windows in the Extension Office are leaking. Health Department Director Margaret Swanda said they have to cover their computers with plastic to protect them from water. McNutt recommended the sprayed-one polyurethane foam roofing/insulation that Brad Houlden's company in Cambridge applied to the sheriff's office, for its leak repair, prevention and insulation qualities.

Swanda told commissions that vaccine costs keeping increasing, "and we're giving more vaccines."

County Assessor Sandra Kotschwar said postage keeps going up and up, and she and other officials need to check into bulk mailing regulations.

The county clerk's, the office of the clerk of the district judge and the assessor's office may each need a new computer, and Warner and Kotschwar said they would like to budget for copiers. Sheriff Gene Mahon said he needs in-car cameras, but their purchase may be supplemented with grant funds.

Warner said it is very difficult to estimate mileage needs. Mahon said his office is working to cut back on mileage.

Maintenance supervisor Greg Holthus told commissioners that buildings and grounds looks like "business as usual," although the new property next door to the courthouse on the north that the commissioners purchased may need some remodeling to make it appropriate for however the county decides to use it.

McNutt said he doesn't foresee any huge increase in revenues; the sheriff said that it's possible there will be an increase in fees for civil process.

McNutt said that the county's cash reserves have dwindled in the past several years. "If you've got it in your budget, that doesn't mean you have to spend it," he cautioned officials.

McNutt is discouraged by increasing prices of oil, road repairs and tires. The county's residents are "kinda spoiled," he said. "They have high expectations" from the county in the way of services.

McNutt said the primary increase in the budget will be, of course, salaries. "Everyone's gotta make a living," he said. "Everything's going up -- food, gas, clothes -- they continue to go up."

The State of Nebraska is looking at 4 percent raises, McNutt said, remembering that Red Willow County employees got between 70- and 75-cent-an-hour raises last year, just a little more than 4 percent.

"We have to be conservative with taxpayers' money," McNutt said, but employees must also be compensated fairly for their work.

Commissioner Leigh Hoyt said, "We're behind the eight ball here. How we do increase our income (revenues)" to pay increased salaries, he asked.

Hoyt said the county has choices: Cut expenses, raise taxes, cut services or reduce the number of employees. "I'm all for raises," he said, "but we (the commissioners) have to justify a raise in taxes."

He encouraged officials to remember the "big benefit" in the county's health insurance. "We're doing something right. We have good wages and good benefits, and not a lot of turnover," he said.

Salaried courthouse employees work 35 hours a week and road and sheriff's department officials work 40 hours a week. Mahon suggested developing a system of paying for overtime rather than offering compensation time, which, he said, is difficult for some of his officers to take advantage of.

McNutt said he doesn't want to increase wages any less that they did last year; he's concerned that 4 percent won't keep up with inflation. He suggested officials create preliminary budgets using increase of 75 cents to $1 per hour. "Start with 75 cents," said commissioner Steve Downer. "It's gotta be at least that."

Preliminary worksheets must be turned in to commissioners by Friday. Budget hearings will begin after June 30.