Leake Blames Bush For County Crisis
That assessment of the situation didn’t sit well with Commissioners Chairman Jennifer Roberts, a Democrat. She said the increased spending was needed to keep pace with the county’s exploding population growth, and that the board had been efficient with its use of resources.
“It’s not Democrats gone wild,” Roberts said.
Whatever the case or culprit, the county finds itself having to confront what County Manager Harry Jones labeled “brutal facts”. Revenues are expected to take a hit in almost every category, from decreased state funding and increased unfunded state mandates, to slumping sales taxes and fees. Revenue collected from property taxes is expected to inch up an anemic 0.1 percent, or about $1 million, next year.
While revenue and expense projections show an $85 million shortfall, Jones directed county departments to craft their own budgets to include targeted cuts that reflect up to a $95 million gap, so he could better evaluate the impacts of reduced services and employee layoffs.
Jones repeatedly stressed that the target reductions and budget projections were subject to change, and that his formal budget recommendation won’t be ready until May. But based on the board’s expressed desire to avoid a tax hike, Jones said he couldn’t “paint a rosy picture” for commissioners.
“There are going to be painful reductions,” he said.
1 2
We need your help! If you like PunditHouse, please consider donating to us. Even $5 a month can make a difference!
Short URL: https://pundithouse.com/?p=1148
