The York County Budget Committee begins its review of the plans for 2011 in a more comfortable position than it was a year ago.
Last year at this time county staff had already been cut drastically to cope with an unexpected loss of $1.3 million in income. New state rules covering the operation of county jails blocked the use of jail revenue (earned by boarding prisoners from other jurisdictions) for general county expenses.
The support staff in the district attorney’s office had been cut by one-third, and the sheriff’s department had lost five deputies. Although most of the layoffs proved to be temporary, the county workforce was cut by 24.
As the budget committee began work at the end of 2009, it had to consider how to rebuild county staffing, and also how to continue restoring a reserve account that had been wiped out several years ago. Another priority was to limit any tax increase for York County’s 29 cities and towns.
Budget deliberations are likely to be easier this year. Commissioners have presented a $18.4 million budget proposal that they believe will require no tax increase. Most laid-off workers have been recalled, and according to county manager Richard Brown, the county’s finances are now stable.
And county reserves in the fund balance account amount to $892,000, more than double the amount estimated a year ago.
A flat and stable county budget for the coming year is a reassuring prospect. And it is also a good example as city, town and school administrators begin considering their budget needs for 2011.
— Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Nick Cowenhoven at nickc@journaltribune.com.
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