Alpine County cutting $585,000 from budget

Alpine County supervisors convened an emergency session on Tuesday to close a $585,000 general fund deficit.

The deficit had already been pared down from $914,000 by the administration.

The remaining amount coupled with anticipated but undetermined cuts in other funds has forced the county to take further measures.

Following presentations from Pamela Knorr, the county administrative officer, supervisors considered three major items intended to change the way the county would do business in the months ahead.

They affirmed Knorr's decision to cut out all overtime in county departments and to lay off all part-time and temporary employees.

"Overtime will only be expended in emergency situations as declared by the department head or elected official," she said. That action is expected to save a significant amount of funds.

Supervisors approved a reorganization of the building department, the planning department, public works department and engineering. Those departments are to be combined into a community development department. Knorr projects a savings of at least $268,000 by making that change in organization.

A third action was to approve the commencement of a workforce reduction affecting 11 full-time employees. After giving those employees 60 days notice of the effective date, the county will lay off five positions in the public works department, two deputy sheriffs and two support staff in the sheriff's department, and one each in the auditor/controller's office and the treasurer/tax collector/recorder's office.

There is also consideration being given to cutting the county engineer. Savings expected from the reduction in force action are $415,530 for the year, but not all savings will be in the general fund.

Supervisors heard comments and suggestions from the audience, many of whom were employees of the county. Of the private residents in the audience, Jim Haen, a civil engineer; Mark Vaughn, a contractor; and Nat Whaley, a principal officer at Kirkwood; expressed strong support for keeping the building department intact, saying that that department was particularly effective and efficiently staffed.

At the end of the session, supervisors expressed great concern for the people who were affected by the changes, particularly for those who would be laid off; and Skip Veatch emphasized the need for Knorr and staff to help them find opportunities for work elsewhere. On Tuesday, supervisors will begin a series of budget sessions. The actions and more will be reflected in the tentative budget Knorr will be presenting then.