Plans to develop a county policy for land acquisition funds are on hold, with the current budget crunch to blame.
The Shawano County Capital Improvement Projects Committee on Thursday briefly discussed whether it would be prudent for the county to start setting aside funds for future land purchases.
Supervisor Marlin Noffke said spending several full-day sessions with the Finance Committee working on the budget has changed his opinion of the proposal.
“I was one of the big supporters of land acquisition. Now I would vote the other way, just because of the funding,” Noffke said. “Some things have to give (with the current budget), and that would be one of the first.”
Supervisors had been discussing putting $140,000 from sales tax revenues into a fund for land acquisition, but the Finance Committee this week removed it from a list of 2014 capital projects.
Some of the existing land acquisition money was reallocated last year when the Mielke Arts Center project lowest bid came in about $100,000 over budget. About $229,000 remains in the fund.
Supervisor Gene Hoppe supported setting aside land funds. He said it was better to have the money available when needed rather than having to make budget cuts whenever needs arise.
“I think it’s good to have the money there so you don’t have to steal from other projects,” Hoppe said.
There is also a resolution making its way through the committee process to amend how sales tax revenue is used. There is $500,000 annually set aside for capital projects.
“Maybe we should wait until we see if there are funds available,” Supervisor Robert Krause said.
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