Bannock County Pays Off All Debts
A local county hits a major financial milestone, Bannock County is now debt free.
“We’ve worked hard to keep our budgets in line, to keep our expenditures down, to make good fiscal decision and here we are. We’re debt free,? Bannock County Commissioner Howard Manwaring said.
Manwaring said he’s ecstatic the county no longer has to deal with creditors, interest, or bills coming in the mail every month, but he said he honestly can’t take much credit.
“We’re elated to be debt free. Of course, we owe it all to our supervisors and employees. They’re the ones who’ve done this,” Manwaring said.
He said the credit goes to people like County Comptroller Kristi Klauser.
She said it’s been hard work to set Bannock County’s financial house in perfect order but well worth it.
“It’s really nice to be debt free. Bannock County doesn’t have to worry, only about just the day-to-day operations. Not to have any creditors, loans, or leases out, it’s really nice,? Klauser said.
The commissioners said they’re especially proud of the accomplishment during this economic climate.
“It’s an important goal to reach because if you look at the state of affairs in this country, there are probably very few counties that are debt free. It seems like everybody owes money, and we don’t. That’s a great thing,? Manwaring said.
Recently the county paid off its jail bond six months early, and also completed its last lease on some landfill equipment.
Klauser said any debt the county government had simply meant a little debt for every citizen.
“We pay for everything day-to-day. We don’t have to worry about any extras above and beyond. So essentially it saves the taxpayers in the long run,? Klauser said.
