22 layoffs proposed in county budget

If the Highlands County commissioners agree with Administrator Michael Wright, $19 million will be cut from next year's budget, but that's not the bottom line.

"The budget is out of balance with tentative expenditures exceeding anticipated revenues by $8.8 million," Wright wrote to commissioners in a June 30 letter.

In other words, Wright has already cut almost 12 percent from the current $164 million budget; now the five commissioners need to tell Wright where and how to cut another 5 percent.

An implicit signal from the 2009-10 budget is that the value of houses continues to slip, said Barbara Stewart, who chairs the county commission. Two months ago, Property Appraiser Raymond McIntyre told the commissioners the value of agriculture and commercial property was holding steady, but he warned that in 2010, those values may decline as well.

"We need to be very careful in using reserves," Stewart said. If the recession is long lasting, the 2011-12 budget may be even more troublesome than FY 2010.

Wright has proposed 22 layoffs and not filling 10 vacant positions. Department budgets were cut in varying percentages.

Ten percent cuts were suggested in contributions to outside agencies, and a 25 percent cut to three cities for recreation programs.

Wright has proposed closing the shell pit in Charlotte County for one year and consolidating housing and human services departments.

He has proposed paving and resurfacing more roads; constructing Sebring Parkway from 90 degree turn to College Drive and setting aside money to improve sheriff's and public defender's offices.