Saturday, May 08, 1999
'Soft cuts' proposed to bolster county budget
Verst wants to lessen deficit
BY TERRY FLYNN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
NEWPORT — Campbell County Commissioner Bill Verst came to Friday's Fiscal Court budget talks loaded for bear and presented a plan that could whittle about $600,000 from a $1.5 million projected deficit.
Commissioners and Judge- executive Steve Pendery are searching for ways to avoid using a $1.5 million county surplus to balance the proposed $9.2 million 1999-2000 budget.
Mr. Verst described to Fiscal Court members Friday what he called “soft cuts” that would not affect anyone working for the county and would also result in little or no reduction in service for county residents.
Part of his plan involves increasing county revenues through more aggressive collection of property taxes and increases in planning and zoning fees.
County Clerk Jack Snodgrass had requested $100,000 to purchase 20 new voting machines in the wake of complaints about long lines in the 1998 election, but Mr. Verst suggested that the $100,000 be cut.
He also called for a hiring freeze, which would include not hiring a replacement for county coordinator Ed Pendery, who retires this summer, saving the $82,000 salary.
County fiscal officer Dennis Geiger pointed out that a portion of the proposed budget is comprised of funding mandated by the state, such as the judge-executive's salary and funding for the sheriff's office, which cannot be touched.
Campbell County Police Chief David Sandfoss has requested six new police cruisers in his budget, and Commission er Dave Otto said he wasn't certain the department needed all six. He also questioned the home fleet use of police cruisers, where offices take the cars home with them at the end of their shift.
Steve Pendery said it was apparent that the Fiscal Court members needed further discussion with some department heads, including police and the clerk.
“I believe we need to meet with the heads of the various county offices, probably in executive session since it will involve personnel matters, and get the answers to some of our questions,” he said.
He also mentioned the possibility of a county payroll tax as a means to increase revenue.
Ed Pendery also suggested a 25 percent increase in the dispatch fee residents pay on their telephone bills, which he said could return $19,000 a year.
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