Interest earnings are low, down to the point where I say, let's not include them in the anticipated revenues at all. What earnings we do see, let's treat as a "windfall." And let's not take those 1% increases just because we can. I repeat what I have asked for time and time again:
* No 1% increase in any levies.
* Stop the collections of Conservation Futures.
The county has some outstanding debt in Conservation Futures. But, if this year we only spend what has already been promised, we will have enough remaining in the Fund to go two years without additional collecting, yet still be able to pay our debts.
Many of the departments have made their 2012 budget presentations. Here is just some of what I heard:
* The Auditor's department is in truly dire straits. She does not have the staff needed to keep up with the duties.
* The Coroner continues to do much with little and asks only that there be no further cuts.
* The Prosecutor could really use more staff plus additional funds to improve code access on-line for the public.
* The Juvenile Detention Facility regularly has more employees than detainees.
* There are a number of non-mandated services in Public Health. So many, I have yet to get a list.
There is a lot of work to be done yet before our October Public hearing which I hope to ensure will be an evening meeting.
