County Council keeps trimming '09 budget

At the end of the second day of budget hearings on Wednesday, the Greene County Council had cut over $438,000 from the 2009 county budget - a figure that was far short of their goal to cut $1.8 million dollars off the total.

Only a handful of departments were left to appear before the council on Thursday morning to discuss their budget requests.

Late on Thursday morning, the Council was expected to start the difficult process of making additional cuts in order to shave off another $1.4 million dollars from next year's expenditures.

Department heads that have already appeared may be recalled on Thursday afternoon to answer more questions and discuss the additional cuts that may be made.

Wednesday's hearings were dominated by Greene County's criminal justice departments and offices in addition to the Greene County Clerk, Recorder, Auditor, Health Department and County Extension Office.

Several, including both Superior and Circuit Courts, had submitted a lean budget in anticipation of the pinch or had fixed expenses from which few cuts could be made.

Circuit Court Judge Eric "Chip" Allen was first on the agenda and did express a need to get the relatively-low salary of the CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocates) director up in the same range as similar positions. Since that was not possible this year, both Judge Allen and Superior Court Judge David Holt agreed to check into other funding sources to supplement the director's salary.

"I try to submit a realistic budget," Holt told the Council members as they looked over the projected expenses of running a courtroom.

They seemed to agree he had done just that as they approved his budget "as is."

Council President Ed Cullison remarked, "It seems pretty cut and dried."

The Greene County Prosecutor's Office did not fare quite as well as several cuts were made - but they were not major.

Prosecutor Jarrod Holtsclaw told the Council he would like to add two positions to his staff.

"We could use an extra investigator and another deputy prosecutor but I knew that's not possible so I've asked for extra money for overtime for current staff and to hire extra help to fill in," said Holtsclaw.

Holtsclaw was told the staff additions were not possible for 2009, were also unlikely for 2010 and he was asked to cut back on the overtime and extra hire.

When attention turned to the Check Deception Program, Holtsclaw admitted that this was an item he was dreading.

"The Check Deception Program is not taking in enough money to fund the program," said Holtsclaw noting it brings in approximately $1000 per month but costs $2,200 to run.

Holtsclaw explained that people are changing the way they do business, they're not writing as many checks and the program is going to come to an end. He proposed that it be funded through 2009 and then be replaced by an outside agency that specializes in taking care of check deception cases. The Council approved the plan.

The Council offered to approve funding of $6,000 toward the Greene County Drug Task Force after Holtsclaw told of the force's successes and benefits.

Holtsclaw said during this past year, work by the Task Force had resulted in around 34 arrests, six meth labs busted in the county and nine more cases to be filed soon - he said the money invested had positive results and was kept in the county. The funding has allowed the Task Force to buy better equipment which helps build better cases which results in less defendants willing to go to trial.

When the hearing for the budget of the Greene County Sheriff's Department began, Sheriff Terry Pierce was greeted with an approving comment from Council member Jim Oliphant.

"I want to commend you on your appointment of the ambulance director - he's doing a heck of a good job," said Oliphant in reference to Director David Doane's budget presentation on Tuesday.

Pierce agreed then got down to business citing the ongoing problem of skyrocketing medical expenses for inmates at the jail.

"I don't know where this is headed," said Pierce who also said the expenses for gasoline are unpredictable even though they are trying to lower usage.

Some minor cuts were made then Pierce volunteered to make additional cuts on some non-essential items.

Pierce also expressed a need to hire additional staff.

"I would like to add an officer to help transport inmates but I understand the economy and the county's budget situation," said Pierce.

The Council did not deny his request - citing the increases in revenue that are now coming from the jail housing inmates and receiving payment from the Indiana Department of Corrections.

After his hearing, Pierce said he was not unhappy with the Council's decisions but knew he could face additional cuts on Thursday.

When Dr. Frederick Ridge and Linda Robertson appeared on behalf of the Greene County Health Department, they asked for money for an intern - which was denied, and a salary increase for the sanitarian to bring the pay up to an amount in line with other counties. Some Council members expressed concern that it would be hard to keep a sanitarian on staff at the current low salary but they hesitated to make the raise when they were denying raises needed in other departments - they agreed to discuss the matter again on Thursday. Over $15,000 was cut from the Health Department's requested budget.

Numerous cuts were made to items in the Greene County Extension Office's budget. Figures were lowered for agricultural materials, home economics, janitor's supplies, equipment repair, publications and travel expenses.

"We all like to go places but we've all got to cut back on our travel expenses," said Cullison when questioning Extension Educator John Beach about the need for their travel.

The Extension Office's budget for office supplies was also cut substantially and Cullison noted that both judges were running their offices for a lot less office supply expense.

"We're cutting everybody back to as lean as possible," said Cullison.

The County Clerk's office and some others appearing on Wednesday saw a few minor cuts made to their budgets.

At the end of the day, hoped-for raises of $1,000 across the board were still in the budgets, but with additional cuts of S1.4 million expected on Thursday - no promises were made.