The Guthrie County Board of Supervisors met in regular budgeting session Thursday.

Public and Environmental Health Director Jotham Arber presented his 2019 fiscal year budgets to the Board. In the presentation, Arber detailed a three-year plan for both departments. Highlighted portions of the plans include: building staff capacity to accommodate additional services, increasing home care and respite programs by 35%, and digitizing paper files. Supervisor Clifford Carney was concerned that the $40,000 increase in Arber’s salary from the previous fiscal year was excessive. Supervisor Mike Dickson believes the increase is justified, as increase in services in multiple counties warrants the increase in salary. Dickson also pointed out Arber’s extensive variety of licenses and certifications.

Then Sheriff Marty Arganbright presented his 2019 fiscal year budget. Arganbright is still extremely concerned about the over-capacity of the county jail. The jail housed seven inmates on average in 2017, however they are consistently holding ten or eleven. Arganbright doesn’t know how to solve the issue, as the Dallas County Jail is also constantly close to capacity. The proposed budget is very similar to the current fiscal year. However the Sheriff’s Office will have to replace a vehicle. He also mentioned the 28E agreement with the City of Guthrie Center will expire June of 2019.

Finally, Conservation Director Joe Hanner presented his 2019 fiscal year budgets. The Conservation Department is projecting an increase of about $10,000 in revenue from the previous year from camping fees. However the Monteith Store Building in the Historical Village has sustained extensive roof damage. Hanner suspects raccoons are at least partially to blame and he’s not sure if insurance will cover the damage.