LOCAL

Next year's county budget debated

Department heads will have a chance to explain their budget requests during the preliminary budget review Tuesday

Dianne L Stallings
Ruidoso News
  • Requests from outside agencies to be reviewed

Time to pull out the black markers and begin the trimming of budget requests for Fiscal Year 2017-2018.

The Lincoln County Courthouse in Carrizozo

Lincoln County commissioners called a special meeting for 8:30 a.m., Tuesday, for a preliminary budget hearing, which will include requests from agencies outside county government, such as public libraries, weed and predator control programs and the Lincoln County Fair Association. Those outside requests total $391,360.

Commissioners meet in chambers at the county courthouse in Carrizozo.

They also will cover department budgets, county manager recommendations and the budget requests for healthcare clinics operated by the Lincoln County Medical Center in Capitan, Corona and Carrizozo, and by La Casa Buena Salud in Hondo.

Once approved, the preliminary budget is sent to the state Department of Finance and Revenue for review. The document is sent back to the county with any required changes and a final budget then is adopted.