Government leaders often talk of doing more with less. But now a projected budget deficit that is almost 8 percent of the total annual budget has the Dutchess County executive promising a major “redesigning” of that county”™s governmental apparatus.
“An ongoing multi-year downward financial spiral” has created a budget deficit of nearly $40 million for Dutchess, said County Executive William R. Steinhaus.
He said the gap is forcing a restructuring of county government that is the most substantial downsizing since the current County Charter was approved in 1968.
In his preliminary budget, Steinhaus said that initial revenue estimates totaled $375 million, but expenses totaled $415 million to deliver the county programs and services as they exist today. That budget gap must be closed by Nov. 1, when Steinhaus will present a balanced budget of expenses and revenues to the county Legislature.
“Cutting spending and payroll is essential to closing the budget gap while positioning Dutchess County government for sustainability in future years,” Steinhaus said. “We are redesigning how we operate in order to deliver services within the fiscal constraints of our overstressed property taxpayers. The status quo just isn”™t an option.”
“Reform will be far-reaching,” he said, in announcing that a restructuring plan will be attempted. “Our bold restructuring plan will consolidate and merge departments, activities, functions and services to increase our efficiency and effectiveness with a tighter and leaner county organization for 2011 and the new decade to come.”
He said he will cut a staffer from his three-person senior executive staff and that up to six department head positions could be eliminated. His news release on the matter did not specify which ones would be cut, but cited the sheriff”™s department and costs of running the county jail, social services and Medicaid costs.
However cutting those services are complicated because many of them are state or federally mandated and carry at least some funds with them that require the county also kick in a portion of the funding. Thus, attempts to cut programs risk running afoul of legal requirements or risk reducing the revenue.
Steinhaus said that specific proposals would be made as part of his tentative budget.
“I certainly understand people”™s natural resistance to change. These are difficult choices; but these are very difficult economic times for families and businesses. By necessity, the challenge of overcoming a daunting $40 million budget gap for 2011 has presented us with a unique opportunity to reevaluate how we operate as county government.”
