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Home > Blogs > Butler County News and Issues > Archives > 2009 > May > 04 > Entry
County eyes furloughs, pay freeze to fix budget
Butler County commissioners are looking to furloughs and salary freezes as more humane approaches than layoffs as they eye a budget hole that could total $4 million this year.
Problem is, they would need permission from someone else to do either of those things.
State civil service rules prevent county governments from furloughing employees. So commissioners passed a resolution at their meeting Monday, May 4, asking state lawmakers to give them that power in this year’s budget.
The budget was passed in the state House last week without that provision, but state Sen. Gary Cates, R-West Chester Twp., was at the meeting and said he could introduce the issue in the Senate’s version.
Cates pointed out that state Gov. Ted Strickland used furloughs to help balance its budget, and “They (the county) have to balance their books like we do.”
A two-week furlough would cut the county’s employee costs by 3.8 percent, “which would be very, very helpful in the process of trying ot manage our budgets this year,” said County Administrator Tim Williams.
“This would keep us from having to do more layoffs if we could utilize the furlough system,” said Commissioner Charles Furmon.
Commissioners also passed a resolution 2-0 — Commissioner Gregory Jolivette was absent — asking the county’s unions to reopen negotiations.
Though they talked about trying to freeze union-negotiated pay increases, commissioners said they would leave the options open if the unions would come to the table.
“(We) need to open negotiations to see how we can reduce the budget,” said Commission President Donald Dixon. “They may have other ideas.”
Otherwise, more layoffs could be on the horizon, Williams said. He said the county’s investments, sales tax revenues and fees from growth continue to plummet amid the stagnant economy.
Monday night’s meeting was at the Voice of America Learning Center in West Chester Twp. It was commissioners’ first meeting this year outside of Hamilton and working hours. Several members of the public attended, though none spoke.
Permalink | Comments (5) | Post your comment | Categories: County Commission
Comments
By Leonard
May 4, 2009 10:51 PM | Link to this
What are these morons talking about? They spend every meeting like drunk sailors then talk about budget problems and having to layoff or furlough employees. Why not stop passing out raises at every meeting and spending $25,000.00 in a three week period on travel and training. Thse have to be the most irresponsible three men on the face of God’s earth.
By Penny
May 4, 2009 11:26 PM | Link to this
Yes Mr. Williams, two weeks loss of pay for you at your $100,000.00 plus salary may not effect you. But those of us not making the big bucks need every dine to make ends meet.
By Alan
May 4, 2009 11:44 PM | Link to this
Maybe the time has come for that national search for a county administrator that the commissioners promised. Clearly, Williams is in over his head.
By Shirley
May 5, 2009 8:26 PM | Link to this
A couple simple questions. What departments have cut their budgets and still operated within the budget they submitted. I know two departments that always submit what looks like a bare bones budget but by mid year they are back asking for more money. Commissioners Jolivette and Furman, tell Rick and Betty to stay within their budget. While officer holders like Ms. Carpenter and Mr. Crank operate their offices within their budgets, other departments just comeback and ask for more money and Commissioner Dixon is always ready with open wallet.
By Jack
May 5, 2009 8:38 PM | Link to this
The commissioners need to hire a “Strong” county administrator who can and will talk frank with them and isn’t afraid of Mr. Dixon. Mr. Williams maybe a fine man but he’s little more than a water boy for Commissioner Dixon. Clearly he is frightened of the prospect of Mr. Dixon giving him the same treatment other department heads have gotten from the little emperor. I doubt if Mr. Williams has yet disagree with anything Commissioner Dixon has said or told him to do.