An ordinance enacting a 10% across the board budget reduction for the remainder of the 2020 calendar year tops the agenda items at Tuesday night’s meeting of the Marion County Quorum Court. The meeting will be held in the second floor courtroom of the courthouse at 6.
The proposed ordinance notes if enacted, the reduction will be 10% of the year-to-date balance as of May 1. The budget reductions would be reviewed in August.
While the proposed ordinance points to the financial impact of COVID-19 and the resulting loss of revenues to the county, Judge John Massey told KTLO, Classic Hits and The Boot news late last month Marion County had already been forced to address budget challenges prior to the pandemic.
The proposed ordinance notes the quorum court wants to keep as many county employees as possible without layoffs.
In the earlier interview with KTLO, Classic Hits and The Boot news, Judge Massey said a number of county employees were facing reduced hours due to budget constraints identified earlier this year, with the financial impact of the COVID-19 looming.
Judge Massey said 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 said earlier he is anticipating the list growing.
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In other business, the court will consider an ordinance repealing and eliminating the county’s safety program.
The proposal notes the quorum court recognizes workplace safety is the highest priority for all of the county’s employees. But at this time, “our financial situation does not allow for the extra $60,000 yearly for the safety program.”
Two memos in the meeting packet point to the financial strain of the county’s budget. One notes the Road Department has had all heavy equipment shut down, saying, “By parking the dump trucks and graders the county has saved approximately 500+ gallons per day on diesel.” In addition, it notes Road Department employees have been focused on cutting brush, patching pot holes and doing emergency work due to storms.
The second memo dated May 5 notes the quarry has been shut down for a couple of weeks due to repairs and to save money. It goes on to say the material for maintenance had already been purchased and at this time is being used to maintain equipment. The goal is to run every other week crushing to save electric and fuel, unless there is an emergency.
A review of the 2018 legislative audit is also on the agenda.
The full meeting packet is available by clicking here.
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