Harrison County 2012 budget proves surprising

The Harrison County 2012 budget is officially completed, and commissioners are reporting surprising figures.

Harrison County commissioners are happy to report a 2012 budget of more than 3.1 million. That's over a $180,000 increase from last year's budget.

"It came together pretty good," commissioner Bill Host said.

Host is referring to this year's budget, which turned figures the county hasn't seen since 2008, when budget numbers estimated above $3.4 million.

Since then, commissioners saw a decline in funds.

In 2009, commissioners had to cut almost $500,000.

"It made all of the offices very lean and mean," commissioner Barbara Pincola said.

"It was rough for a couple years. It was rough getting by," Host said.

Now, an increase in sales tax is boosting figures.

Pincola said it's mostly because of the jump in oil and gas researchers.

"It's a really hopeful mood for us, that just the first phase of this is bringing an increase for us," Pincola said.

The only two county agencies that didn't see an increase in this year's budget were the commissioners themselves and the sheriff's office.

"We were able to bring most people back to where they were in 2008, as many as possible," Pincola said.

One agency that's especially happy is the Board of Elections Office, which needs an increase in money each election year.

The office received $30,000 to cover programming expenses.

Host said a carryover balance from last year of more than $250,000 also helped put the county on a good track.

"We're pretty excited that things are going to get a lot better than they were," Host said.

The  upward trend in county money is not related to actual drilling, and commissioners said they expect to see additional money as the gas and oil industry takes off.