Ogle County sheriff says layoffs coming: Budget passed by board reflects 10 percent reduction
OREGON – Nearly 20 full- and part-time workers will be laid off in the wake of the Ogle County budget passed unanimously Tuesday night, Sheriff Greg Beitel said.
At $41 million, the 2010 budget is 10 percent less than this year.
“The 10 percent cut is going to require us to have layoffs,” Beitel said after the county board meeting. “It will be eight to 10 full time, I’m hoping only eight, and nine part time.”
“This budget is not sustainable,” warned board member Paul White, Forreston. “We’ve got to keep cutting our costs.”
Revenue shortfalls and less state aid are fueling the reduction.
The sheriff, who oversees five budgets, is hopeful, though.
“I’m hearing there’s a possibility of concessions that would bring us closer to the $195,000 [more needed] to avoid the layoffs,” he said.
The Finance Committee relied on department heads to make cuts, and finally obtained wage concessions from Fraternal Order of Police members, who agreed to forgo the raises promised in their contracts. In addition, pay will be frozen for all county employees, union and nonunion, in fiscal year 2010, which begins Dec. 1.
Even with the cuts and concessions, the county ended up with an estimated $1 million shortfall in its general fund, with projected revenues at $11.5 million and expenses of $12.5 million.
To make up the difference, the board agreed to take $800,000 from the county’s reserve funds and set up a revolving loan for $205,000 from the solid waste fund to the general fund, to be used if needed.
