By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
The Ellis County Commission and county department heads reduced the estimated budget shortfall for 2015 from approximately $1.6 million to a little more than $220,000 during three separate meetings last week.
After a meeting Monday, staff had reduced the shortfall to about $1.4 million. And on Thursday morning at a department head meeting, staff cut another $1 million trimming the shortfall to about $430,000.
At Friday afternoon’s meeting, the commission elected to reduce subsidies to outside organizations, cut fuel purchases for road and bridge and limit overtime, among a few other cuts that would reduce the shortfall to $220,782.
The commission made the decision to cut $156,837 from subsidies paid to outside organizations.
With the Historical Society suffering the biggest cut of $60,000, which is 50-percent of their subsidies. The Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development would also see a close to 50-percent cut, with a reduction of $40,000 from their subsidies.
Butch Schlyer, county health administrator, offered to reduce a clerical position from fall to part time, saving about $15,000. Schlyer said it was something that he hoped he would not have to do.
Commissioner Barb Wasinger said she respected the effort to cut the budget
“It sounds like we’re squeezing blood from a stone at this point, so I appreciate it,” she said.
During discussion, Commissioner Dean Haselhorst offered to reduce his salary by $9,000 a year. But Commissioner Wasinger added that if the commissioner pay is going to be reduced it should be split between commissioners.
“I didn’t take this job to make any money off it,” said Haselhorst. “I enjoy the benefits.”
No action was taken on commission salary.
The commission also discussed making reductions to the employee pay increase, which totals $230,432.29. County Administrator Greg Sund said that money is a “budget allowance” and does not have to be used for raises.
Sund said that money can be used for implementing the proposed wage and benefit study.
The commission will discuss the budget again Monday night at its regular meeting.
Commissioner Swede Holmgren was absent from the meeting.