The general fund alone has been cut by a little more than $5 million, according to Finance Manager Rita Davis.
Council’s vote was 6-1, with Councilwoman Gracie Floyd casting the only opposing vote.
The vote came a few minutes after hearing from Interim Administrator Rusty Burns that Senior Solutions and Meals on Wheels’ funding will be fully reinstated — the only change to the budget mentioned during the meeting. The funds will be available because one vacant position in the auditor’s office will not be filled.
Several Anderson County residents applauded council’s efforts to trim the budget.
“To shave off $11 million in this economy is just short of miraculous,” said White Plains resident Rick Freemantle. “And not to cost anyone their jobs, you couldn’t ask for better.”
Williamston resident Mark Powell said, “Thank you very much for that savings, and I look forward to next year when maybe you can trim some more.”
Although employees won’t be receiving a pay raise this year, council says it has not laid off anyone.
They have, however, cut a few positions by not replacing employees who have retired or left.
Burns added that the county plans to continue to offer the same services to the best of its ability, even facing a tough budget year during a national economic downturn.
Anderson County is saving about $700,000 by not giving employee raises, and has cut $128,000 by reducing travel, Davis said. It has also allocated about $4 million less in capital projects than it did last year, Davis said.
The operating and contractual portion of the budget has been cut by about $1.9 million, the capital budget by about $1.1 million and district paving by about $1.7 million, according to Davis.
During Tuesday’s meeting, council discussed the sheriff’s office $598,000 debt, which has been trimmed from its original $2.5 million deficit during former Sheriff David Crenshaw’s tenure. Two yeas ago, the county’s answer was to add a one-time additional tax levy to allow the sheriff’s office to pay back the deficit.
Davis said the county could immediately pay back that deficit by drawing from its reserve fund, which she says is estimated to be about $2.7 million.
When Councilman Ron Wilson asked why the county doesn’t immediately pay back the remainder of the debt from the reserve fund, Burns said, “We want to leave everything like it is right now. This is a horrible, evil, horrible economical situation, and we need to just leave things as they are.”
Burns added that the administration and the sheriff’s office are working hard to make sure the debt doesn’t happen again.
“I can assure you that we are monitoring everything that goes through the council,” Burns said.
Current Sheriff John Skipper, who replaced Crenshaw this year, said he did not ask for any additional money.
In other news, council voted on final reading to eliminate Good Friday as a paid holiday. Councilman Tom Allen says county employees now have the same number as paid holidays as do state employees. The vote was 6-1, with Floyd in opposition.
Council also voted on final reading to pass an ordinance that allows a property tax credit to taxpayers in the county who install a fire sprinkler system.
Post a Comment
