COUNTY BUDGET CRISIS WILL HIGHLIGHT MONDAY'S COMMISSION MEETING

(09/10/2010)

The Calhoun Commission will meet Monday morning at 9 a.m. with a key item on the agenda to discuss the county's budget crisis. The "County Budget Crisis" will likely be an item that will remain on the agenda for months to come. The financial crunch has been caused by a reduction in revenue, much of it linked to the recession, increased mandates, a stagnate tax base and increased costs of operating the county. A current budget problem is funding for the regional jail, which is exceeding the amount budgeted for 2010-11. While the county has among the lowest tax rates in the state, costs have continued to increase and the State of West Virginia continues to pass down unfunded mandates which county taxpayers must bear. A large number of county residents qualify for Homestead Exemption. The 2011-12 budget is expected to have at least a $200,000 shortfall, which could plummet the county into default. Calhoun's elected officials have already cut back with office expenses and reductions have been made in employee insurance benefits. The commission has virtually eliminated any discretionary spending during the last year. Monday's agenda includes items related to the retirement of courthouse maintenance operator Eddie Harris on December 31, appoint election workers for the Nov. 2 general election, budget revisions, committee reports. The commission will review or approve a number of grants that have been received by the county for several projects.

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