Layoffs, wage freezes anticipated for 2011 Oneida County budget
By
CAROLINE GABLE
Story Created:
Jul 28, 2010 at 10:03 PM EST
Story Updated:
Jul 28, 2010 at 10:19 PM EST
UTICA, NY (WKTV) - Department heads in Oneida County have already submitted their budgets for 2011, to the County Executive.
But even this early in the planning process Oneida County Executive, Anthony Picente, is anticipating everything from layoffs, to wage freezes for 2011.
Right now the County Executive is estimating an $8 million budget shortfall. The 2010 budget was assisted by $7 million in stimulus that will not be included in next year's draft. The County will also draw $1 million less from the fund balance next year. Leaving $8 million unaccounted for.
Four out of five union contracts expire at the end of this year, so unions might be making concessions as well, to help make ends meet.
While Picente would like to stay away from a tax increase, that is a tough goal.
"The issue is where to come up with that ($8 million) and not on the backs of county tax payers," Picente said. "The goal here is to have a zero percent property tax increase, because the economy and the situations that everyone's facing doesn't warrant it (tax increase) but its very hard to do."
Next month there will be hearings on the budget, as Picente, the Fiance Commission, Budget Director and various departments go through proposals line by line. By October 5th, the County Executive hopes to have a budget he can present to the board of legislators. The board then has to the middle of November to approve it.
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