The Guthrie County Board of Supervisors met for a budget session Thursday.

The meeting included several fiscal year 2020 budget discussions with various departments. Some highlights were a proposed allocation of 100 labor hours for Guthrie Center Communications to handle videotaping or streaming Board meetings to post online. Technology Development Director Curt Thornberry also said he hopes to get the County’s new website completed this year. Sheriff Marty Arganbright’s budget included a $5,000 increase for transporting inmates while also trying to limit expenses by requesting a purchase of one new vehicle instead of the typical two. The Board also heard budget requests from Kristine Jorgensen with County Tourism, County Engineer Josh Sebern and the Guthrie County Fair Board.

Finally, after much discussion the Board voted 4-1 to set a public hearing on February 26th for a resolution on two new agreements with the Guthrie County Regional Airport Authority. The first agreement which created the authority is to replace the original one passed in 1989, and the second is a cooperation agreement to guarantee the County would provide its share of 10% needed to match a potential 90% grant from the Federal Aviation Administration for a new runway. The Board also approved signing a waiver for conflict of interest for the authority employing Ahlers & Cooney for bond financing services. The law firm also assists with personnel services for the County, but Assistant County Attorney Tim Benton stated he sees no actual conflict of interest in both entities employing the firm.