Budget battle bludgeons county leaders

The Saline County budget continues to create woes with the many department office holders.

In a special meeting on Monday, Saline County Boards Finance Committee put their heads together after submitting a proposed cut list to each department. The budget is tight as the county is trying to account for its already proposed debt of $160,000.

"We have done all we can," said Jay Williams, board and finance committee member. "Our hands are tied, we have come a long way."

Some of the departments seeing bigger cuts are the Saline County State's Attorney and The Saline County Sheriff's Department. The two collectively make up the bigger part of the county's entity and feed into each other. The Sheriff generates funds for the county through tickets and warrants, but the State's Attorney is the one who ultimately tries the case and solidifies payment.

Over the last few months, departments have submitted their proposed claims and projected budgets for the next fiscal year. Those totals well exceed $1 million more than the projected revenue for the next year according to the finance committee. With that in mind, the board sent out requests last week to each office with suggested budgets that were well under what each department was asking.

Each had the opportunity to voice their concerns with the Finance Committee at the Monday meeting. Out of the separate offices two came to say their piece: State's Attorney Mike Henshaw and Sheriff Keith Brown, as they both saw the biggest cuts for next year's budget.

"As the sheriff for the county it is my job to fight for the people in my department," Brown said.

Several of the departments including the sheriff's complied with the proposed budget numbers. Others, however, have made it clear that they just can't make it on the numbers provided.

The Saline County Board will meet Dec. 22 to finalize their decisions. The Board can only hope that what has been decide will benefit the county.

But one thing is certain "The Board will not borrow money," Williams said.