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Home > Blogs > Greene County News > Archives > 2009 > June > 09 > Entry
Greene County to trim budget; layoffs likely
XENIA — More pink slips could be on the way as Greene County commissioners cut another 1.5 percent from 2009 spending as revenues continue to be lower than anticipated in a still struggling economy.
The cuts, made Tuesday, June 9, impact all offices under the commissioners’ budget control and are on top of 4 percent already slashed across the board at the beginning of the year.
Layoffs and voluntary furloughs are likely, said Howard Poston, county administrator.
“The first round of cuts brought a lot of departments to the edge,” he said.
The cuts have had the biggest impact on law enforcement and the court system. Ten corrections officers have already been laid off and hours have been cut at the courthouse and in other departments.
Sheriff Gene Fischer will again bare the brunt of the cuts because his more than $12 million budget is the largest under the commissioners’ control. Fischer said he is unsure what will have to be eliminated to make ends meet, but he urged the commissioners not to cut across the board again.
“They need to prioritize. At what point do you say the safety of the citizens is going to be in jeopardy,” he said. “They’re sitting over there making decisions without even asking other elected officials what they need.”
Poston anticipated the need to further trim the budget earlier this year and requested commissioners only approve a six-month spending plan at the beginning of the year.
“Several of our revenue streams are double digit decreases from last year,” Poston said, warning more difficult times could still be ahead. “If the economy keeps on the track that it is … This doesn’t guarantee it will get us through the end of the year.”
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Comments
By oldtimer
June 9, 2009 12:01 PM | Link to this
Wouldn’t it make more sense to keep people on a reduced hours or with furloughs. When you layoff people you only further reduce your tax base.By Larry
June 9, 2009 12:10 PM | Link to this
I have a solution. Just keep all the people, run a defecit thru the end of the year, then beg for the Federal Government to bail you out. You can offer to give them 60% ownership of your business in return for the ownership.By JohnQ
June 9, 2009 12:10 PM | Link to this
Why would they cut public safety and ignore all their pet projects and luxury items…doesnt make sense lets cut the commissioners in the next election!By suzyq
June 9, 2009 12:15 PM | Link to this
Because two of them live in beavercreek and have police services and could care less about the rest of usBy Hey stupid JohnQ
June 9, 2009 12:20 PM | Link to this
What pet projects and luxury items are in the budget of Green County? I challenge you to name one, if you can’t, your just an idiot with a big mouth.By johnq
June 9, 2009 12:27 PM | Link to this
how about a horse barn for the park or travel by the commissioners for two examples…it goes on and on stupid is as stupid doesBy John Colman
June 9, 2009 12:27 PM | Link to this
Hey - I grew up in Xenia , now I am in Fountain Hills, Arizona - hope all is well in Xenia.By mike
June 9, 2009 12:29 PM | Link to this
The Greene county commissioners need to WAKE up and do some brain storming. Their ideas are OLD and OUT DATED. For them to SIT back and continue to cuts services like the county pool and law enforcement will NOT work over the long term. They need some plans out increasing their income stream. I have e-mailed them several ideas…BUT they don’t care to listen to what I have to say.By go mike
June 9, 2009 12:39 PM | Link to this
you couldnt be more right mike its sad they cut what is required and keep what is notBy bob
June 9, 2009 12:49 PM | Link to this
Reduce wages not the jobs. This is a terrible economy for anyone to be looking for a job in.By Seriously
June 9, 2009 12:53 PM | Link to this
so your’e telling me they cut public safety without having priorities first? this poston must be foolish or doesnt careBy Freedomlover
June 9, 2009 1:09 PM | Link to this
Folks of Greene County, use the ballot box to remove these irresponsible commissioners. Police should be the last to go, not the first. I hope everyone who dials 911 in the event of a burglary also has a firearm to protect themselves. Your going to need it.By william
June 9, 2009 1:42 PM | Link to this
Maybe the Commissioners should put their money where their mouths are and cut their own salaries. One of the Commissioners has a nice job at UD; he doesn’t need his taxpayer-funded salary to live. What about the County employees that may lose their jobs because of him?By jkj
June 9, 2009 2:11 PM | Link to this
There is so much waste in Greene County, they should go to the city-level and have them cut some of their uneeded garbage…I live in Fairborn and the amount of waste at the city level employees is riculous!!By J
June 9, 2009 2:40 PM | Link to this
JKJ, The CITY of Fairborn is not the same government as the COUNTY of Greene County. People who comment about waste should at least have some intelligence about the structure of the goverment. If you don’t even know the city and the cuonty are different entities you have no business even commenting.By Diane
June 9, 2009 2:51 PM | Link to this
J: Fairborn is IN Greene county Einstein ! Why should’nt cuts start at city level ? It is all part of the picture.By flipper
June 9, 2009 3:14 PM | Link to this
I REALLY like Larry’s idea, but it sounds so familiar.By dd
June 9, 2009 3:14 PM | Link to this
Sounds to me like it’s county first. The Sheriff and Courts are county, not city. But I agree cuts in pay could be at city level too.By Tom
June 9, 2009 3:17 PM | Link to this
My employer told me in March my wages would be reduced 5% in March. My overtime had been done away in December about 18 to 20 hours a week. Then told in April and May expect another 5% each month pay cut. I moved out of Xenia to make up for gas expenses and CITY TAXES. Force civil service employees to take a pay cut cut to SAVE JOBS, [they have a union or something like that]. We the voters [those who have jobs in the real world] if we have to make sacrifices lets vote for changes thereBy J
June 9, 2009 3:25 PM | Link to this
You people. The budget of Greene county is completely different from the budget of Fairborn. They are not connected at all! If you make cuts in Fairborn it will not help Greene County at all. The pots of money are completely different.By Huh
June 9, 2009 3:28 PM | Link to this
How about the $42K that they’re spending to move the dog park?By Sickofthecommissioners
June 9, 2009 3:34 PM | Link to this
Since we already have reduced law enforcement protection, does that mean its open season for criminals in Greene County?By voteMout
June 9, 2009 3:50 PM | Link to this
Commissioner Perales: Triple Dipper Reid: Double Dipper Anderson:Double DipperBy You'vegot tobekidding
June 9, 2009 4:08 PM | Link to this
Enough, it doesn’t matter if it is city or county. The bottom line is this…the county has been bad at budgeting. Where has the tax money gone? To the bike path? I have relatives that may lose their job. I hope they do an audit of the books. Something just isn’t right???By whomever agrees with the commissioners read this...
June 9, 2009 4:26 PM | Link to this
How about Greene Cats. they got billions of dollars and they charge $1 for people to take a ride. give me a break…By engineer bob
June 9, 2009 5:13 PM | Link to this
Greene County employees work just like private sector, and not all departments have unions. It is naive thinking to reduce hourly workers pay and expect the same production result. The pay-cuts should be out of the elected official’s pockets, not the working man’s. Remember, an hourly worker is the one you are depending on to keep the roads in Greene County clear and safe in the winter.By Easy Charlie
June 9, 2009 5:37 PM | Link to this
So let me get this straight, some of you want to penalize the commissioners for getting a salary? Others of you blame them for poor tax revenues? So because they have other pensions and jobs some of you bad mouth and smear them? Boy, what a bunch of fair weathered citizens you are. Maybe you naysayers should be asking what the commissioners are doing to further the county and bring more business and revenues to the county..nah that would be to easy, you need someone to blame and most likely the biggest complainers are the county unions that s doing all the blaming. Hey unions of greene county, look what happened to the GM plants, maybe it would serve you to join them on the unemployment lines to get a better perspective…By Aware
June 9, 2009 6:34 PM | Link to this
One luxury they should cut is moving the dog park. It is not a requirement and it is very costly. The current dog park is fine as is.By aware2
June 9, 2009 7:09 PM | Link to this
Did the Commissioners or Administrator (Poston) receive raises or bonuses? If so why? Are they volunteering unpaid leave or salary cuts? IF not why?By jail birds pay
June 9, 2009 7:41 PM | Link to this
Start charging inmates to be in jail.By surviving in greene county
June 9, 2009 7:49 PM | Link to this
mr poston did get a raise this year, but the rest of the employees under commission did not. You think the dog park is a waste of money how much did they waste on the new coier contract and it isn’t even a local companyBy cousin eddie
June 9, 2009 8:24 PM | Link to this
as i read the posts from the fine citizens of Greene county, I am personally embarrassed by the overall ignorance. Do any of you check your facts before posting? Engineer bob is a doofus and his post is idiotic. Maybe ask Jared, he has all the answers but not sure if you can get an appointment without going through his keeper…By Sickofthecommissioners
June 9, 2009 8:24 PM | Link to this
Hey Easy Charlie, the county employees that have a union are the lowest paid unions in the County. City of Beavercreek & Xenia pay more than Greene County unions.By cousin eddie
June 9, 2009 8:25 PM | Link to this
as i read the posts from the fine citizens of Greene county, I am personally embarrassed by the overall ignorance. Do any of you check your facts before posting? Engineer bob is a doofus and his post is idiotic. Maybe ask Jared, he has all the answers but not sure if you can get an appointment without going through his keeper…By Union Daddy
June 9, 2009 8:30 PM | Link to this
yepper, this all comes down to the unions and their greed. So they are the lowest paid, who is at fault for that? logic says that they have weak union leaders who obviously cannot negotiate. Start there. Bust all the unions and pay the people what they are worth. I would say that this would save millions from what I have seen from most county workers. Engineer Bob back to reality yet?By Sick is stupid
June 9, 2009 8:36 PM | Link to this
To Sickofcommissoners..i am still laughing at your post. Did you really mean to insult the workers of greene county by telling the world that they can’t get a decent wage because their union is weak? maybe you’ll get kicked out of the union for being dumb. unless of course you are the union president..By codie
June 9, 2009 9:54 PM | Link to this
LOOK AT YOUR PUBLIC RECORDS AND SEE MR POSTIN GOT HIS PAY INCREASE THIS YEAR, THEY ARE BLACK TOPPING ROADS AND IT GOES ON AND ON.By Just joe
June 9, 2009 9:56 PM | Link to this
didn’t I see somewhere that Greene County was going to spend 3 million on a Calamity center site? Also I hear that the county has a rainy day fund! All news say there are signs the economy is turning around. Maybe they should use the rainy day fund to save jobs and services. If not what exactly is a rainy day fund for?By commisionersneedtogo
June 9, 2009 10:09 PM | Link to this
42k for a dog park and commissioners who doubledip and take trips to DC at the tax payor’s expense. Watch your backs election day is ahead and you 100% patycutwill tBy Cat
June 9, 2009 10:12 PM | Link to this
I say “we can’t afford commissioners anymore”.By victor
June 10, 2009 1:59 AM | Link to this
According to the Greene County Auditors office & the “Comprehensive Annual Financial Report” Greene County has:$292,258,019.00 in assets.By victor
June 10, 2009 2:04 AM | Link to this
Cont. “The assets of the County exceeded its liabilities at December 31, 2007 by $292,258,019.00 of this amount, $23,095,289.00 may be used to meet the County’s ongoing obligations to citizens & creditors.” source - pg 17, Greene County Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.By victor
June 10, 2009 2:09 AM | Link to this
Why don’t all of you posting here read the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for yourselves. 1. Go to Greene County Homepage 2. Go to the Auditors page 3. On left hand side under “Information Section” click on ?Annual Reports.”By You people are stupid!
June 10, 2009 7:49 AM | Link to this
what is it with you people and the “double dipping” comments? should commissioners be punished for serving? should they give up a pension to serve? if you answered yes, you obviously voted for Obama. This could be part of Jared’s smear machine at work or at least his henchman who attends all meetings on his behalf..you know the x-Beavercreek council member..keep spreading lies and I’ll be here to set the record straight, You fools voted for Obama and now you are getting your full dues. At least one of the commissioners is traveling to bring new opportunity to greene county. Only travel Ralph harper did was to the donut shop to BS with the pig farmers. Do we want more of that? Look what Harper’s past leadership got us. We have two good commissioners and one fossil.By Rick
June 10, 2009 8:36 AM | Link to this
Time to stock up on ammo, I was told they already closed 120 beds at the jail! Get robbed today, and the same criminal may be back tonight with revenge on his mind! Be prepared!!! 911 call might not bring help next time! How many beds will they close this time. Heck how many are going to be left open 10??? Is it going to be open season on us taxpayers.By Rick
June 10, 2009 8:36 AM | Link to this
Time to stock up on ammo, I was told they already closed 120 beds at the jail! Get robbed today, and the same criminal may be back tonight with revenge on his mind! Be prepared!!! 911 call might not bring help next time! How many beds will they close this time. Heck how many are going to be left open 10??? Is it going to be open season on us taxpayers.By Ja- jing
June 10, 2009 8:50 AM | Link to this
It’s obamas Fault ( fake president )By you people is blinded by loyalty
June 10, 2009 9:15 AM | Link to this
you people are stupid is very wrong…they failed us without having a plan, without priorities in budgeting and keeping their kingdoms while putting the public at riskBy budgeting101
June 10, 2009 9:30 AM | Link to this
keep whats required out with what is not…its simple budgeting; public safety should be protected not dismantled to benefit other political agendqa that isnt a “must”By Wimpy
June 10, 2009 10:53 AM | Link to this
The Commissioners should spend less on the water treatment plant in Sugarcreek, that will clean water for more of Montgomery County, than Greene County.By mr. Snoopy
June 10, 2009 1:08 PM | Link to this
It’s going to get a lot worse. Start making plans to have reduced government services. This condition is going to last for a long time as unemploymentBy Bob Geyer
June 10, 2009 2:25 PM | Link to this
The comments from engineer bob were not those of Greene County Engineer Bob Geyer, just for the record.By codie
June 10, 2009 5:54 PM | Link to this
if you look the only people that are can double dip is the county com. or lawanna and the plant on 725 is a waste water plan not a water plant.By Guilty Bob the engineer
June 10, 2009 7:11 PM | Link to this
a little late to cover your tracks now Bob. We all know that it is you that made that post and now try to CYA. We got your number now. Be ready for the records requests.By WOW
June 11, 2009 11:53 AM | Link to this
When things get bad the fingerpointing begins. Well it should be no surprise we are where we are. Those who are makeing the decisions have be doing so unchecked for a long time now. No one goes to commision meetings to voice thier opinions. Jump on the band wagon everone