BISBEE — Though just in the beginning stages, the county’s $200 million budget is being scrutinized as the department heads and Board of Supervisors start negotiating decision packages.

Decision packages are requests that incur additional costs to a department’s budget, like an additional car, a new position or a large screen television, that are expenses other than what it takes currently to run the department.

Some of the initial requests were dropped prior to the work session as County Administrator Mike Ortega notified department heads that expenses had to be cut, extensively.

The judicial system had the floor Monday afternoon at a work session and went over some of the requests that were denied and some that were approved by the budget committee.

Clerk of the Court Denise Lundin told supervisors Pat Call and board chairman Richard Searle that her department needed funds to expand her offices in the cramped courthouse and asked for $11,000 for remodeling. Initially, she had requested $238,000 to expand. That request is up in the air for now.

A request for $8,000 was made by Court Administrator Karen Ferrara to provide compensation to crime victims that had been funded through the state. She also is looking for money to install a grill at the juvenile detention kitchen. The facilities also are used to cook for adult prisoners.

Myrtle Young, director of juvenile court services, asked the supervisors to consider providing funds for a separate waiting area for juvenile offenders so they are not hanging out with adult criminals coming in to fill probation requirements. An area already exists that would serve the purpose and all that has to be done would be to partition one side of an enclosed patio at the Benson office.

The justices of the peace also made a pitch for things like a new X-ray machine at the Bisbee courthouse and new staff positions. The fees and fines collected would help pay for some of the cost, but the rest would be the county’s responsibility.

In Bowie, Justice of the Peace Michael Skiles asked for one important thing and that was a sidewalk repair. There have been county employees who have been injured on the concrete and to prevent any serious injuries, Judge Skiles asked that it be replaced as soon as possible.

Willcox Justice of the Peace Trevor Ward asked that the supervisors approve remodeling his courtroom and replacing the bright orange chairs that have been there for more than 20 years. He also asked that one bathroom be changed to a unisex facility so that the second bathroom could be reserved for staff.

Ferrara also said additional staff positions were necessary for courthouse security. She also said portable transmitters were needed for interpreters to translate to non-English speaking people including defendants and family members.

There were other requests made as well, but Finance Director Lois Klein reminded everyone at the table that there was not enough money to fund all the requests and that the county was approaching a $1 million shortfall in the budget.

When there was talk of no raises for county employees this year, Ferrara pleaded with the supervisors, “It would be the first time ever that there were no raises in salaries. That will be a painful situation.”

Call said at the end of the meeting, “Bowie is attracting attention, and we may need to look for that $6,500 to fix up the courtroom.”

Call added, “I don’t know yet if we can afford raises, but the board will work toward finding the money for our employees. Right now, though, it’s too early to tell.”

County budget talks continue today at 1:30 p.m. and Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the county complex located on Melody Lane in the supervisors’ conference room.

For information, go to the county Web site at: co.cochise.az.us/ccwebsite/PublicNotice.asp