As most of the White Pine County Commission appears to be moving inexorably toward a new tax on electricity one commissioner is suggesting cutting county spending to make up for a budget short fall.
White Pine County Commissioner Mike Coster released a series of budget cuts that if implemented would make the new electric tax unnecessary.
“Here is my list of possible considerations to avoid imposition of the new utility tax of $183,000 and the substantial draw on fund balance of $764,000 in FY 2014.” Coster wrote in an e-mail to Elizabeth Frances Wednesday:
Add: Sheriff office funds for narcotics enforcement position, which was deleted but I know see the merits/needs for this.
Deletions/reductions:
1. Delete Commission Manager, or make half time as was originally approved by prior commission.
2. Delete Airport Manager at end of the summer, using contractor instead.
3. Ensure no golf course funding or labor this year. Hold on Greens keeper hiring/funding at any level.
4. Delay purchase of phone system indefinitely. If it goes ahead, look at trade in options to dealers since these units are still used by many companies. No Ebay sale.
5. Determine which of the Windows 7 computers can be upgraded with reformatting rather than replaced.
6. Examine all fee schedules to ensure collections and consider revisions to out dated fees. Airport is proposing changes for both these concerns. Golf course, camping, Fairgrounds, County Park, etc. Some may have out of date pricing.
7. Examine reduction of Recorder, Treasurer, and perhaps Assessor staff by one person. Or a reduction by one, allowing for a shared position between Treasurer and Recorder, as before.
8. Delete most Association dues. With the exception of NACO and Water litigation matters, what dues can we omit for a year or longer?
9. Delete Finance Office publications budget.
10. Ensure all Nuclear Office costs are zeroed out. Replace travel to nuclear meeting with phone attendance or rely on reports by our paid nuclear consultant.
11. Ensure that we get the animal control office fees and fines, or are credited with them by the city against the Interlocal Agreement payment.
12. Omit pay increases for all supervisors this year.
Meanwhile the first reading of the tax increase was this week and if it passes the second reading the price of power in White Pine County will go up.