Charleston County headed toward financial hard timesBy Diane Knich (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Charleston County is facing some financial hard times that could mean cuts to some services and a tax increase for the first time in 13 years. Keith Bustraan, the county's chief financial officer, said the county has to prepare now to cover a $7.8 million projected shortfall in the 2010 budget. The 2010 fiscal year starts July 1, 2009. County staffers asked County Council to form three committees that will examine the county's departments for places to cut costs and streamline services, he said. "Essentially, we're saying, 'OK County Council, what do you want to do?'" The committees met once already, and will meet two more times in September, Bustraan said. He also said that there are three ways to cover a projected shortfall: cut operating costs, raise taxes or fees, or dip into a reserve fund or fund balance. Read more in tomorrow's editions of The Post and Courier. |
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Comments
This article has 1 comment(s)
Posted by STREETLAW on August 24, 2008 at 11:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Guarantee you can cut the staff by 1/3 and still have all the services provided today. Just be sure you cut the dead weight and hire a few very smart people with "Elliot Ness" authority to make the necessary changes to the system.
It is time we got to vote on our Country Administrator and Assessor. At least there would be someone to be held accountable. Don't expect County Council to do anymore than point fingers at each other. (no, not THAT finger, silly).