The first phase of budget review is over for the Marion County’s 2009-2010 fiscal year, which is predicted to be a balanced one. That’s according to Marion County Board of Supervisors Chair Howard Pothoven. He says finishing work on the $3.4 million courthouse remodeling project, window replacement project and having an increase in housing evaluations last year helped free up more funds for budgeting. Pothoven says the 2010-2011 fiscal year budget, however, could be more challenging if there’s a decrease in housing evaluations or if there isn’t an increase in the state’s road use tax fund, among other issues.

The Supervisors met with department heads this and last week in a series of successive discussions for different budget requests, such as with Marion County Engineer Roger Schletzbaum (above right, reviewing the Engineer’s Office budget with Marion County Supervisors Jim Kingery and Sam Nichols, and Auditor Jake Grandia).

Grandia is now in the process of compiling the different department’s budget requests into a presentable whole which will be further reviewed by the Supervisors. The budget must be submitted to the state by March 15th.