Commissioners approve budget, scrap video recordings
By Dan Bain KPIC NewsROSEBURG, Ore. -- Commissioners approved the Douglas County budget for the 2009-2010 budget year Wednesday morning, with the prospect of more cuts next year with less federal money. With the new fiscal year just a week away, the commissioners held their final public hearing Wednesday morning, before adopting the budget that reflects a 10% decrease in most county departments. Commissioner Doug Robertson said that they have had to make some hard cuts, and there will be even more next year. "Over the course of the last eight years, we eliminated about 200 budgeted positions, we have made an effort of course to keep the property tax rate level. It has not increased at all, and we have done everything we can to protect the reserve funds."
Only one person testified in the budget hearing, John Ayer told commissioners that they are not cutting enough, and need to start thinking of more creative ways to cut the budget. "We don't have the money now, so where's the money coming from? So, let's look at cutting the employees, their salaries, their perks, their parking, their thousand dollar a month medical insurance and vacations." Robertson says they will know what their situation is going to be going into the 2010-2011 fiscal year, and they will start working on the next year's budget right after the 4th of July. Commissioners approved the budget for just over $155-million. Fans of county commission meetings won't be able to watch the meetings on the county Web site or on cable anymore but they will be able to hear them. Commissioners also approved a new audio-only system this week, to replace the video system that was implemented a few years ago. They say the new system will save money and will make it easier to find specific topics on the agenda. Former commissioner Marilyn Kittelman, who was the driving force in getting the video system installed in the first place, once again
had harsh words for the commissioners, saying they had devious motives. "It is not a budget decision, it is simply a wish by you three, to get your images off the screen." Douglas County resident Ray Cox, also spoke in favor of keeping the video recording system, and said of the decision to implement the video system, "I think it was, and still is, a very positive step by Douglas County, in making the public business public." Others said they felt the audio was a better system, and more convenient. Tom Baker said, "The audio alone is much clearer, more understandable, just a better quality than the video and audio together." Audio-only supporter Rich Mouser added, "I know you guys are working very hard to manage our money, and I know you're going to have to make cuts, and I know this video thing will probably one of them or may be one of them, and I know that you're probably going to make other cuts going forward, and I just want you to know you have my support." Commissioners say they have gotten very few e-mails and only a single phone call in regards to the change. They voted unanimously to change to the audio-only system. |
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February 9, 2012
- Roseburg, Oregon
