Editor

The Claiborne County Budget Committee met on July 21, at 7 p. m. to continue the review of department budgets. Prior to beginning of the meeting, several individuals came before the committee to request sponsorship of certain projects.

Speaking first, the Dr. Carroll Rose, county medical examiner/jail physician explained that he originally had taken the position at $10,000, and since that time has taken on two individuals to help with the requirements of the position. One person is located onsite at the jail and is contact with him as needs arise. The other individual is located in his office and helps with the paperwork associated with his role as Jail Physician and medical examiner. He explained that the person in the position before him received $38,000 15 years ago. After answering questions from the commissioners and discussing what needs may arise with the new jail, he requested that the commission consider these issues when approving the 2006 budget.

Harrogate Mayor Bill Fultz spoke next and requested the County's help in funding a building to house three or four full size ambulances. The City has already begun work on establishing its own fire department and has negotiated land leases with the school board for the area where the department will be housed. Although he stated that he knew this was a bad time to come before the commission, he requested that the County fund the ambulance building this year or next year. The addition of a heli-pad was also discussed.

When asked if Harrogate would be contributing to the Sheriff's budget as it has in years past, Fultz said "No."

He explained that the City did not feel it was getting adequate coverage from the department, even though their contribution was supposed to provide them with certain number of officers, the number of cars actually covering their area was much smaller. The City of Harrogate will not be contributing in the upcoming year.

Other budgets were discussed and approved while some were passed to incorporate amendments by the next meeting's discussion. Some of the budgets that will be amended and resubmitted are: Senior Citizens Assistance, County Executive, Sanitation on Education/Information, County Buildings, and Sheriff's Department.