CLEARFIELD – On Wednesday the Clearfield County Commissioners passed the 2010 budget with one resident speaking against it.
Tony Yankevich, as he did at a prior meeting, accused the commissioners of illegally having a fund balance. He claimed earlier in the month that the commissioners hiding money in the budget.
“I still have to challenge the proposed 2010 budget levying taxes of 21 mills,” said Yankevich on Wednesday. He argued against the county having a fund balance. He pointed to a number of county funds and said that the county has “an unlawful surplus.” Yankevich argued against a $6 million surplus, but said he wouldn’t be there on Wednesday if the county had a $1.5 million surplus.
Earlier this month Solicitor Kim Kesner took issue with Yankevich’s claims and accusations. “I have to take issue,” said Kesner. “He’s impugning commissioners and controllers who have served since he has.”
Kesner pointed out at that meeting that there are no rules concerning a county’s general fund when it comes to building up a general fund.
“He argues that maintaining any fund balance violates county code,” said Kesner, who also pointed out that a lawsuit Yankevich filed against the county on similar grounds was rejected by the courts.
Kesner also pointed out earlier in the month that if the county had a zero balance at the end of each year, then at the beginning of the year the county would have to borrow money, or take out a tax anticipation note, until tax money came started coming in. The commissioners and Kesner also pointed out that the extra fund money also serves in case of an emergency. In the case of the recent state budget impasse, the commissioners were able to use some of that money to continue funding employees and services until the state could again reimburse the county for those employees and services.
“These are judgment issues,” said Kesner.
Kesner also pointed out that the reserves stipulated by the 10 percent limit are the operating reserve and capital reserve. He said there is nothing that regulates an unreserved fund balance.
“It is not illegal for counties to maintain a fund balance,” said Kesner.
On Wednesday Yankevich said that he believed that Kesner was doing the board a disservice.
According to Kesner he argued against a lawsuit that Yankevich filed against the county in 2000.
The commissioners adopted the budget with a unanimous vote.