Cuts will be deep, officials warn

The commissioners hope other income may offset a sales tax loss.
By D.A. WILKINSON
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
LISBON -- Colum-biana County officials "need to be prepared for drastic reductions" when the 2006 budget is approved next week.
Commissioner Chairman Sean Logan also said Wednesday that "the [financial] hole is so large cuts will be very deep."
The commissioners had hoped to borrow funds if voters approve a 0.5-percent sales tax that will appear on the May ballot. But Logan said the county has learned it can't do that.
Voters last year renewed a 1-percent sales tax but rejected the renewal of a 0.5-percent sales tax. The two taxes had brought in about two-thirds of the county's revenue. The county spends about $18 million a year.
Next week's commissioners meeting will be the last before the county has to approve appropriations by April 1.
The 0.5-percent sales tax brought in about $4 million a year. County officials began tightening spending in late 2004, which helped the county end 2005 with a $1.8 million balance that was much higher than usual.
The commissioners gave most offices a total of $4 million for the first three months of 2006, but cut funds to some nonmandated offices.
But Hoppel said revenue from the 1-percent sales tax so far this year is $160,000 less than it was during the same period in 2005.
Unsure of total shortfall
The commissioners aren't sure of the total shortfall the county faces.
Logan said he is going to rework earlier estimates for other county revenue sources. If those revenue sources are bringing in more money than projected when the first quarter spending was approved, the expected financial hole would be smaller.
Logan said that if the expected shortfall is smaller than the commissioners now expect, it may prevent officeholders from filing lawsuits against the commissioners for operating funds.
The on-again, off-again sales taxes over the years had resulted in lawsuits over funding, layoffs and program cuts.
But county officials have also worked together in recent years. The commissioners launched an effort last week to promote pride in the lean and cooperative county government.
Chambers of commerce in the county are having a series of town hall meetings during which people can ask about county finances. The commissioners have offered to speak before any interested groups.
wilkinson@vindy.com