From the Madison Courier:
As budget time looms for Indiana local governments, the Jefferson County Council is asking department heads to tighten proposed budgets for next year to help battle rising insurance rates and expenses.
For 2014, the council approved a motion Tuesday to request that departments decrease the annual proposed budget by 5 percent - compared with 2013 - and exclude raises.
That's not to say raises will not be considered, but the County Council said it is faced with mounting expenses - specifically in the public employees retirement fund - and health insurance increases. Once the budgets are submitted, the Council will review the requests and re-evaluate its finances.
"It might be a year that they don't get a raise," said councilmember Laura Boldery. "I don't like to talk that way, but those are the facts."
Council President Bill Hensler said the county is in a situation where it can do one of four things: Raise revenues, cut employees, cut benefits or cut expenses.
"I think the first thing you do is cut expenses," he said.
He added that having the each department trim its budget gives the Council a better idea of where to find additional savings.
"I think it will help us a lot and help them to participate," Hensler said.
The council will hold its budget hearings in September, but budget proposals are due July 1.
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http://madisoncourier.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=77170&SectionID=178&SubSectionID=964&S=1
