Budget cuts planned for Utah County

PROVO — Last year, the Utah County Sheriff's Office cut 14 positions. It's planning to cut another four positions, and Sheriff Jim Tracy is hoping that's enough.

"We are really cutting everything to the bone," Tracy said. "But, you know, it's catching up with us, and we can't do this for a third year. We are going to be at the end of the rope."

Utah County commissioners have asked all departments to find ways to cut their respective budgets. Most are being asked to cut about 5 percent of expenses, said Clerk/Auditor Bryan Thompson.

With the economy still in a slump, sales tax down and no plans for raising taxes, commissioners decided to lower the county's proposed budget expenditures this year by roughly $1.6 million — from $77.5 million to about $75.9 million, Thompson said.

The reason the sheriff's office might have to cut more than other departments is because the general fund is about $3.3 million over budget for next year, he said, and 75 percent of that fund pays for the sheriff's and county attorney's offices.

There are only two other funds that are out of balance in the proposed budget — substance abuse and wildland firefighting. Those departments, however, account for less than $1 million of the discrepancy.

Another reason commissioners are lowering the proposed expenditure amount for 2010 is because they've have had to dip into the county reserves for the past two years, Thompson said.

Tracy said he understands that sacrifices must be made in a down economy, but he does not want to have to fire anyone. Without additional revenue in upcoming years, Tracy says, the sheriff's office won't be in an operational state.

For example, the sheriff's office put off replacing 17 to 18 cars last year and won't be replacing them this year, either, he said.

Tracy said he also sees why raising taxes really isn't an option right now, with everyone already being hit with the economic downturn.

Another department that has had to cut back is public works, County Commissioner Gary Anderson said. He recalled seeing a county dump truck up the canyon several weeks ago with three crewman doing two jobs that would normally call for five.

"Our people have that attitude," Anderson said. "They serve the public for the better cost."

Thompson said the county really cares about where taxpayers' money goes. He said cutting the budget can be a great opportunity for the county to use all of its money in the best way possible.

"It chokes people out of complacency," he said. "We find out how to do everything more efficiently in the long run."

Last year, Utah County was the last county in Utah to submit its budget, just days before the Dec. 31 deadline. But this year, Thompson hopes to have everything finalized by the middle to end of November. The county will hold its budget hearing Nov. 17.

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