Cameron County budget passed
By James Moate Endeavor News

Outgoing commissioners and good friends Pat Rogers (left) and Tony Moscato signed Cameron County's 2008 budget earlier this week, marking the end of their official county duty. Both men chose not to run for re-election. Rogers served one term, while Moscato served five.

Cameron County's 2008 operating budget was approved by the outgoing board of county commissioners on Monday. Total revenue and expenditures have been established at $7.42 million.

"There have been some minor increases and decreases in expenditures, but no major changes," said Commissioner Tony Moscato.

He explained that the largest increase in expenditures would be in health insurance and utility costs.

Cameron County will also receive $560,000 this year from the lease/buyback of Memorial Hall. That money will be placed in a highinterest account to cover unexpected expenses.

Taxes will be holding steady in 2008 at 26 mills. Twenty mills will be used for general expenses (salaries, mandatory expenditures, etc.); one will be used for operations of the Barbara Moscato Brown Public Library and five will be used to finance the bond issue resulting from the renovation of the courthouse and for the interest payments for Memorial Hall.

Monday's meeting was the final one for Moscato, who served as a commissioner for 16 years, and for Pat Rodgers, who served one four-year term.

Rodgers said he may decide to run for a seat on the board in 2011 but, for now, he must leave the office to tend to family matters.

Incumbent Glen Fiebig was re-elected and will join Phil Jones and JoAnn Smith as the new board. The first meeting of the commissioners' four-year term will be held at noon on Monday.