A number of Marion County government employees are facing reduced hours due to budget constraints identified earlier this year, with the financial impact of the COVID-19 looming.Marion County Judge John Massey says every option is being considered to address the known shortfall.
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In addition to Judge Massey’s office staff, other departments reporting to him include those employees working at the transfer station, the quarry, road department, OEM and the county’s grant writer. The reduction in hours is estimated to save the county $15-$20,000 per pay period.
He says he is anticipating the list growing.
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The reduced hours are planned to begin May 10 and continue until August. Judge Massey says at that point, the budget will be reviewed again.
In the meantime, county officials across the state are expecting to get more details at the end of the month on the financial fallout from the coronavirus.
Judge Massey describes the coronavirus impact as “the hard times coming.” Officials from a number of other counties have already announced reduced hours and furloughs this week due to the pandemic.
Unlike the other counties, Massey acknowledged Marion County had already been forced to address budget challenges. Minutes from the regular monthly meeting of the quorum court in March reflect an attempt to move $225,000 from the county building improvement line item to county general to cover the anticipated shortage until the 2019 taxes are collected. Eventually, the court would settle on moving a reduced amount to county general.
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Judge Massey says a meeting of the employees who serve under him is set for Monday morning.
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