|
2009 County Budget Debate |
|
|
|
|
Wednesday, 02 July 2008 |
|
 “This year,
without a lot of flashing going on, we’re already about 3 million dollars out
of sync.” These words the words of County Administrative Officer Terri Daly as
she began a presentation
on Amador County’s proposed budget for the upcoming year at last week’s Board
of Supervisor’s meeting. After much deliberation, approval of the budget was
delayed and the matter resurfaced again at Tuesday’s meeting. According
to Daly, there is still plenty of room for budget adjustments to be made and Amador County
is not at the point where it needs to resort to layoffs like many other areas,
an infamous example of which is the city of Vallejo, which faces bankruptcy. Amador County’s current budget proposal
includes approximately 1.3 million in contingency money, 500,000 dollars to
continue the fight against Indian Gaming, a large sum for capitol improvements,
and funding to purchase a new jail site. It also includes a contingency
for a county employee hiring freeze. Other factors, such as a proposed Early
Retirement Incentive Program and the Amador Economic Stimulus package were also factored into the
final numbers.
The Supervisor’s were generally in agreement with Daly that the
proposed budget package was sensible. However, there was speculation
over a noticeable increase in District Attorney fees and salaries that required
more research and resulted in the postponement of the approval. At Tuesday’s
meeting, Daly explained that there are multiple reasons for the rate and salary
increases. The 2003 through 2005 budgets had all included salary reductions
from 2 to 10 percent. After a recent renegotiation of labor contracts, salary
increases were once again necessary. The Board seemed satisfied with this
answer and approved the proposed budget.
|
|
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 15 July 2008 )
|
