LAWRENCE COUNTY Commissioners take new look at 2004 budget

The new budget must be put on display by Feb. 3.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Lawrence County commissioners are asking fellow row officers and employees to find creative ways to help the county budget.
"I'd like them to find ways that allow them to reduce their expenses and not directly impact services," said chairman Commissioner Dan Vogler.
County commissioners voted last week to reopen the 2004 budget. The spending plan passed by the previous board of county commissioners included a 20 percent cut in every department's salary budget, but no employee furloughs were specified.
Charleen Micco, the county chief clerk, said work on the new budget has been stalled by computer problems. The county's main computer server went down late last week and a replacement isn't expected until today or Thursday.
"It's like being blindfolded," she said of not having access to budget files on the computer.
Deadline
County officials are on a tight deadline to get the new budget prepared and passed. It must be introduced by Feb. 3 and on display for 10 days before commissioners can vote on it.
Vogler said he intends to attend as many meetings with department heads as possible in the next week to talk about ways to save money.
He noted that he's looking for a balance in the 2004 budget that will weigh the interests of the taxpayers, employees and those who use county services.
The previous board of commissioners had introduced a budget with a 1-mill property tax increase. That would have raised about $1.87 million in revenue for the county.
Vogler said he hasn't ruled out the need to raise taxes. He said he would like to avoid layoffs and possibly consider cutting positions through attrition.
cioffi@vindy.com