Why the county spends less than planned

Jefferson County last year budgeted $41,799 for equipment for its low-power FM radio stations, which broadcast country music, news, sports, and urgent information in emergencies.

Those funds were never spent – and none was spent the previous year either, when $46,370 was budgeted. In the county’s new 2025-2026 budget, another $41,799 has been set aside for transmitters, antennae or repeaters — and it may or may not be touched. 

Still, the allocation stays put, just in case. “The last couple of years, we haven’t had any issues,” says Events Director Bruce Binkowski. “But [the budget line] is an estimate of what we’d need if everything broke down.”