BISBEE — The Cochise County Board of Supervisors adopted the final county budget for fiscal year 2008-09 during a special meeting Monday morning.
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Though county employees were not given a cost of living raise, they were recognized for their service with a one-time disbursement of around $500 in December. As was requested by the supervisors, the state of the county economy will be revisited possibly in January to see if a second disbursement or even a cost-of-living raise could be achieved.
Employees will be able to choose between taking the check or taking three days off, Ortega explained.
Back in February at the beginning of the talks, the supervisors were facing shortfalls due to a sagging economy and rising fuel costs. A few months later that problem was compounded with the state’s expectation of $1.48 million from Cochise County to help offset its enormous deficit. That figure included a $520,000 decrease in Highway User Revenue Funds (the state gas tax), $416,940 direct payback to the state, an increase of $133,000 for the state crime lab and a $410,761 reduction in Arizona Long Term Care Services funds.
Some of the shortfall will be covered with funds carried forward from last year’s contingency fund.
Searle told Ortega and Lois Klein, county finance director, “A lot of work has gone into this budget. There have been some great compromises made within the departments. This is a good budget for Cochise County.”
Just the Facts
The supervisors approved the following budgets:
District Amount
Library District $1,785,195
Flood Control District $4,400,080
Bowie Street Light Improvement District $10,633
Carmel Street Light Improvement District $2,339
Golden Acres Street
Light Improvement District $8,679
Naco Street
Light Improvement District $8,451
Pirtleville Street
Light Improvement District $12,752
Sunsites/Pearce Street
Light Improvement District $17,013
Comments
t wrote on Aug 7, 2008 9:05 PM: