From the Muncie Star-Press:
Recent cuts to Delaware County government’s budget have affected more than just government operations; thousands of dollars in annual funding for local public service agencies has been cut.
One of those agencies, LifeStream Services, came to the county commissioners on Monday and said services might be lost if $15,000 in annual funding wasn’t approved.
The three commissioners pledged their support but noted they didn’t have the final say in budget cuts. Members of Delaware County Council make cuts to county budgets to bring them in line with anticipated revenue, which has dramatically decreased in recent years due to statewide property tax caps, less local income tax revenue and smaller return on investment.
The commissioners cited to The Star Press several cuts council members made in recent years to annual donations that were originally proposed in the commissioners’ budget. Among the cuts were $2,500 each for the Mental Health Association, A Better Way and Delaware County Senior Citizens Center, as well as a $5,000 cut in money proposed for LifeStream.
“We can put it in the budget but we can’t guarantee council won’t cut it,” Commissioners President Todd Donati told Kenneth Adkins, president and CEO of LifeStream, and Jim Allbaugh, LifeStream’s vice president of operations.
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Nemyer said he knows government critics have complained about the cuts that council made, including some county government employee positions and hours.
“We’re doing the best with the few dollars we have. People say don’t blame it on the tax caps. But the fact is, we receive less money.”
http://www.thestarpress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012306050003
