County tries to dig out of $1M hole

Faced with a new $1.1 million deficit, Glenn County supervisors are asking department heads to cut deeper to come up with savings.

Board Chairman Steve Soeth and Supervisor Mike Murray comprise the recently reinstated ad hoc committee that has met with department heads and employee union representatives in search of a budget reduction plan.

Their suggestions Tuesday included cutting another $225,000 from the Sheriff's budget, $235,000 from Planning and Public Works and $100,000 from the District Attorney's budget.

There also are cuts proposed for the Clerk of the Board, Assessor's Office, and others that will be taken up again next week in a budget workshop.

Formal hearings on the cuts are scheduled for Sept. 21, with workshops prior to that likely, said Finance Director Don Santoro, who unexpectedly announced his retirement at the end of the year.

Declining property tax revenues and other income losses are responsible for this latest deficit, Santoro said, since anticipated revenues listed in the preliminary 2010-11 budget approved in June were not realized.

As it was, the county faced a $1.9 million shortfall going into 2010-11 in June and managed to briefly balance it with significant cuts, county officials said, only to find further revenue losses two months into the new year.

"There are no magic dollars," Supervisor Tracey Quarne said. "This is the number. The reserves are running low, so it's cut time."

Still, Supervisor John Viegas expressed concern at cutting the D.A.'s budget and the Clerk of the Board's budgets by $100,000 and $80,000, respectively.

He said cutting them that much could impact their services. Viegas added he needs more time to look at other alternatives.

"I don't know if there is more to cut in the Assessor's Office and the Ag. Department," he said.

Supervisor Leigh McDaniel blamed much of the financial woes on unfunded state mandates, the loss of Williamson Act funds and large contributions to social programs, but said he was comfortable with the ad hoc proposals.

Santoro said his retirement could net the county a savings of $36,000 this fiscal year - assuming his replacement is hired at a lower salary.

Sheriff Larry Jones told the board he could come up with nearly $158,000 in cuts without having to eliminate public service employees and getting into layoffs.

However, it would be difficult to cut beyond that figure, he said, since his department already struggles with personnel being out on medical or family leaves in both the correctional and patrol divisions.

The retirement of Assistant Animal Control Chief Ray Cavier, the suspension of the K-9 program and leaving two vacated correctional positions unfilled.

Assessor Sheryl Thur said she will save $40,000 with the retirement of one of her employees this year, but her three departments still are working with fewer employees than in the past.

Planning and Public Works Director John Linhart said "I appreciate the fact the department heads are given some discretion by the board on where to cut, and we can come up with a solution for the long and short-term."

More input from department heads and staff likely will be taken next Tuesday as the board continues to grapple with the problem.

"The department heads can set the priorities," Murray said. However, he urged them to "meet with us and tell us where you can cut."

Contact Rick Longley at 934-6800 or rlongley@tcnpress.com.