Branch County Administrators gathered during their work session on Thursday and reported that the third draft of the proposed 2020 County Budget showed a deficit of $2.1 million.

While that amount may seem large, that is a reduction of over a half million dollars since the last draft, however with the formal budget adoption in just over a month local officials realize that time is limited.

Commissioners were assured the addition of two road patrol deputies for the Sheriff’s Department was still in this most recent draft as it awaits potential approval.

The county is still waiting to hear about health insurance costs for 2020 as the budget negotiations continue and are expected to be formally adopted by the Board of Commissioners on December 17th, 2019.