Story Published: Dec 22, 2009 at 10:14 PM PST
Story Updated: Dec 22, 2009 at 11:15 PM PST
Monday commissioners approved the $28 million 2010 budget. County Financial Officer Kelly Dougherty said that number is reliant on state funding which could face further cuts as the state works to balance the budget. With some cuts already at the state level for meth grant funding, the county is losing a deputy prosecutor, a full time court clerk as well as a part time clerk. The county is also leaving several open jobs unfilled, including a HR director, commercial appraiser and two other positions. Dougherty said a big difference in the 2010 budget compared to 2009 is a drop in revenue. She said new construction dropped 50 percent, retail sales are down as is interest earnings. A one percent increase in property taxes next year is designed to help offset those losses.
