By ED BALDRIDGE
ed.baldridge@newssun.com
SEBRING -- "Further cut operating and capital budgets or increase taxes," was part of the final sentence in a letter from Highlands County Administrator Michael Wright to the Commission dated June 30.
According to Wright, this year's proposed budget for the county is $8.8 million out of balance, and that number translates into at least 32 jobs losses.
Wright stated that his staff recommended trimming 32 jobs in 2009-10 out of the 403 authorized positions, reducing the number of employees to a level lower than the county employed five years ago.
Wright also stated that he is not anticipating a "quick economic recovery" and that county staff approached the budget by looking asking "is it something we need to do or is it something that is nice to do?"
The sheriff's new law enforcement building is not one of those necessary items, and Wright did not recommend line item funding.
He did suggest that staff will be recommending a policy that sets aside "unanticipated revenues or savings from operations not needed to balance the budget" for building improvements for the sheriff's and public defender's Offices.
Lake Placid's request for a civic center is also on the cutting block, but Wright did state there is $600,000 in budgeted, but unused, funding remaining in the construction accounts for the Veteran's Building and the Children's Advocacy Center.
Another of Wright's budget recommendations included a 10 percent cut to outside agencies as well as slashing 25 percent of the amount of money the county gives to the three cities to support their recreation programs.
Additionally, Wright recommended closure of the county's shell pit in Charlotte County for one year, and consolidating the Housing and Human Services Departments.
"Every reduction being recommended is done so with (the) idea of minimizing impact to the public and looking towards the long term operation of the county," Wright said in his letter.
As a way to help shore up county revenues, Wright proposed a "rollback" of the mil levy to 8.00 mils from the current 7.1 mils, which would generate an additional $5 million for county coffers.
When real estate values were higher just two years ago, the county cut the levy rate 21 percent from 9.0 mils to the current 7.1 mils.
According to Wright, this is not considered a tax increase under the letter of the law, but would bring in the same amount of ad valorem taxes as the current year.
As the recession took hold last year, the county used over $15 million from its savings to balance the budget, not anticipating the recession to continue as long as it has so far.
Finally, Wright's letter suggested reinstating the County Occupational License Tax, which, according to Wright, could raise over $200,000.
The proposed budget goes before the county commission at 9 a.m. on Tuesday.
Thursday, July 02, 2009 - www.newssun.com/0724-eb-county-budget-woes