LAWRENCE COUNTY Officials continue to pare budget

Commissioners are still at odds over how to eliminate the deficit.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- About $1 million has been cut from Lawrence County's projected 2004 deficit, but officials say they still have more work.
On Tuesday, officials said the county deficit was at about $3.5 million. Commissioners are expected to introduce the 2004 budget at 2:30 p.m. Thursday.
Chief Clerk Charleen Micco said budget cuts were made in the allocation to county Children and Youth Services, as well as in budgeting for county legal expenses.
CYS had asked for $1,097,000 this year, but Micco said that department's budget has been cut to $850,000 -- about $10,000 more than this year's CYS budget.
Micco said $80,000 was taken out of legal expenses because of some changes in county labor union designations that likely won't require legal action.
All other cuts were less than $20,000 each, she said.
Additional revenue
Micco noted they were able to add some revenues. Commissioners agreed Tuesday to institute fees in the county assessor's office for people wanting information. They expect about $100,000 a year in revenue.
Micco said that the county real estate collection rate has also improved in the past year and that she expects to garner about $100,000 more than last year.
Commissioners are still at odds over how to eliminate the deficit.
Commissioner Ed Fosnaught has said a real estate tax increase is inevitable.
Commissioner Roger DeCarbo says he will not vote for a tax increase. DeCarbo wants to freeze wages and look at a four-day work week.
Commissioner Brian Burick has not said if he will agree to raise taxes but has said he will not support increased expenses at the county nursing home or the county pension fund.