Commissioners Discuss Proposed Budget Cuts

Angst, heartburn and additional gray hair were three ways potential budget cuts were described at Thursday’s called meeting of the .

Finance Director Jeff Benko introduced proposed cuts he gathered this week from department directors and constitutional officers. Benko and the commissioners worked from an adjusted base budget of $20.6 million from fiscal year 2011.

That figure came after Benko earlier in the month told the commissioners of a in the proposed 2012 fiscal year budget of $22.6 million.

On Thursday, the largest proposed cut came from the which was $300,000. In his presentation, Sheriff Scott Berry added that he would cut 5 percent from his salary and he and his wife would withdraw from the medical plan, which would be a savings of about $12,000.

Berry applauded his staff, but said, “I do feel obligated to tell you we cannot sustain this.”

Benko reminded the commissioners that the budget has absorbed 27 percent in cuts in the last three years, including 11 percent in personnel cuts in two years. He added that five vacant positions, outside of public safety, would not be filled.

Benko’s presentation came after department heads and officers were asked to look for 5 percent and 10 percent cuts from their budgets. Commissioner Margaret Hale said she was disappointed that some returned with cuts of at least 10 percent, while others were less than 5 percent. Benko said some couldn’t cut more without effecting personnel.

“They were courteous, they understood the gravity of the situation and conversations were frank,” Benko said of department heads and elected officials. “They work very hard to understand the current economic conditions.”

Services such as libraries, the Senior Center and the Health Department were discussed, but because they have multiple revenue sources, it was difficult to determine allocations, Benko said. Yet Commissioner Jim Luke said this budget would include reductions in service, including, for example, closing a library.

“There’s going to be some shortcomings,” he said.

Among the options to fill the shortfall is an , which Chairman Melvin Davis asked Benko to bring to the commissioners soon, after discussions with Human Resources Director Melinda Smith and Alan Theriault, the county administrative officer.

Davis reminded the board that after discussions with other commissioners around the state, the county is in better shape than others. Benko added that the staff has made the previous cuts seem invisible.

“To cut a government 27 percent in two and a half years, maintain bond ratings, while not interrupting public policy,” Benko said. “I think they’ve done a (darn) good job.”

The meeting was held in the hallway of the Oconee County Courthouse because power was out in the regular meeting room after moved through the area. 

On , the commissioners will set an agenda, and Benko will update them on third quarter figures through April. At a meeting on June 7, the final proposed budget will be discussed. The June 14 and June 21 meetings will be the first and second hearings of the budget, with the adoption on June 21.