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According to projections, the current county finances will soon be
insufficient to continue meeting basic county needs. It is being
predicted that the impact will be felt by the end of this fiscal
year, which comes at the end of November. During budget talks last
fall, finance chairman Chuck Ruben said: "If correct and we hold the
line, we will end up with $200,000 in the general budget at the end
of the year. I'd rather see a half a million there. It is far less
than I'm comfortable with." Even if it isn't this year, the county
coffers are dwindling sufficiently that the board feels forced to
push for this sales tax increase.
While, if it passes, the tax can't be assessed until September,
it will help with next year's budget. Both the highway department
and health department were left out of this year's budget and need
to be put back in. Those departments are currently running on
reserves.
The main causes of the crunch were identified at board meetings
throughout the last two years. At the top of the list are high law
enforcement and court costs related to criminal activities, less
state funding, increased unfunded mandates, less revenue return from
the state -- the state keeps more of our dollars -- and lower
investment returns on money on hold. Add increasing health and
liability insurance costs, and that gives you county funds with a
disappearing budget.
Officials say that while the tax will provide only temporary
relief, approving it now is important to spare local public
services. It is estimated that it will bring in $800,000 per year.
To date, the board has taken numerous measures, asking
departments to assist with the financial crunch by cutting costs and
by looking for new revenue sources. Departments were also asked to
cut any unnecessary expenses.
The department heads were responsive in all of the above. In the
past year they have found ways to help. They have raised some
revenues with increased or added fees. The highway department
budgeted zero dollars and has been functioning off reserves for two
years. The sheriff's department is negotiating early retirement of
two senior deputies, leaving the department short two men on
manpower. And other measures as fit the departments were found also.
However these are not enough to keep up with dwindling revenues
as well as increasing costs. Soon the general fund will not be
sufficient to keep things as they have been in the past. The next
step will be layoffs of county employees. The layoffs will cause
reduced services.
Public safety tax
impacts on offices supported by the general fund
Due to increased costs
and declining revenues, the county could face up to a 25 percent
across-the-board cut in the 2006 budget.
1. The sheriff's
department would be hit the hardest, as it is the largest public
safety entity. Cuts would include seven deputies, one secretary,
reduction of courthouse security and two maintenance positions. In
addition, the cuts would result in a loss of revenues from fines and
fees. The cuts would also reduce the available patrols within the
county and reduce the sheriff's department to basic functions.
2. The public
defender's office would eliminate one attorney.
3. Juvenile crime costs
the county in excess of $350,000. Due to the high crime and
prosecution levels, the circuit court is very limited in what cuts
could be made.
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4. The county highway department would lose two or three employees
and would not be able to provide the level of service now provided
to the citizens of Logan County. Snowplowing, road and ditch
maintenance, and improvements would be reduced. This could
negatively affect rural road conditions and snowplowing. This could
subsequently affect bus routes that get our children to and from
schools. 5. The county
clerk would have to cut two positions. This would adversely affect
the current level of services in recording of documents as well as
providing records requested by citizens of the county.
6. The circuit clerk
would possibly cut two employees. This office is responsible for all
records, notices and other functions under the circuit court system.
The reductions would affect the availability of services required of
this office and for the citizens of Logan County.
7. The animal control
department has made significant improvements over the last couple of
years. The 25 percent budget cut would reduce the hours of
operation, reduce part-time help, reduce surgeries and surgery
supplies, as well as other levels of service. Required maintenance
of the building as well as the dire need for new pens to handle the
increased animal count will not be possible.
8.
The Logan County Health Department would face the following:
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Layoff of up to six
employees.
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Services provided by
the Rural Health Partnership mobile unit would be eliminated.
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Clinic hours would be
reduced.
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Public health home
nursing services would be eliminated.
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Staff participation
in the Healthy Communities Partnership would be eliminated.
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Beginning with the
fourth and subsequent reduction in staff, grant funding could be
lost or reduced due to the inability of the department to meet
grant objectives.
--Stats compiled by
finance and referendum committee.
The county representatives are now meeting with local groups.
They would like everyone to know how important this is and to answer
your questions. If you would like someone to come speak to your
group, call Dewey Colter at (217)732-5927.
You can learn more about how passing or not passing the
referendum may affect you. There will be an informational meeting
open to the public on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. at The Oasis. Dewey
Colter will speak.
[Jan
Youngquist] More facts and figures on the tax and
finances will appear in LDN in the future.
Other related past
articles
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