Allen County Council in July demanded across-the-board 2013 spending cuts of about 2.3 percent, but nine departments are seeking a total of $2.46 million more – with Sheriff Ken Fries accounting for more than 65 percent of the request.
But Fries' stated resolve is likely to be tested as Council considers the county budget next week.
“I cannot again with a clear conscience put in a budget that meets your expectations without feeling that I am putting not only my employees at risk but also the people of Allen County . . . (This) is the only budget I am putting through,” Fries wrote in a letter to Council members questioning their July decision to balance next year's budget through additional spending cuts instead of tapping the county's $14 million rainy day fund, as Auditor Tera Klutz had suggested.
Council has set Fries' 2013 general fund at about $20.8 million but he has appealed for about $1.6 million more – money he insists is needed to buy new cars (from zero allocation to $400,000), health care for inmates (from $850,000 to $1.25 million) and other expenses.
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Other departments appealing Council's spending-cut directive include the city-county emergency communications department, which is seeking another $591,196; building department ($131,963); prosecutor ($89,390); commissioners ($54,731); coroner ($24,506); parks and recreation ($8,436); homeland security ($6,659) and Wayne Township assessor ($3,761). The departments have requested a total general fund of about $85.9 million, but Council wants to spend about $83.46 million.
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Klutz, who earlier suggested Council ease budget constraints by tapping the rainy day fund for $1.5 million next year, said she may try again next week to convince Council of the need to withdraw at least $1 million or so. Faced with the increased cost of employee medical care and pensions and reduced tax revenue, spending can't be cut indefinitely without affecting vital services, she said. It may be possible to cut employee medical costs by going with a single discount-offering provider, she added.
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