By Mary Drier (Contact / Staff Bio)
October 31, 2009 - 08:36 a.m. EST

GILFORD — Even though the budget ax didn’t fall Tuesday night, it is still poised for cutting.

The proposal to cut all non-mandated services was pulled from the consent agenda for more discussion in front of an audience of about 120 people. Besides several concerned citizens, there were first responders, youths who were concerned about cuts to MSU Extension, county employees and county department heads.

To start the meeting, a slide show presentation explained the county finances of facing an $800,000 - $1.3 million deficit in 2010 due to state funding cuts, lower property tax revenue, lower interest earnings, and how several other factors that are eroding local finances.

For months, commissioners have been working on the budget with input from a finance task force to find ways to further trim costs.

At the suggestion of District Court Judge Kim Glaspie, and the urging of Circuit Court Administrator Kyle Jaskulka, pleas commissioners cut all non-mandated services, which include: courthouse security at $146,842, Friend of the Court security at $23,978, Michigan State University Extension at $134,431, Planning Commission at $11,550, Thumb Narcotics Unit (TNU), emergency services at $75,744, Veterans services at $72,744, Economic Development Commission at $53,000, parks at $6,500, animal control, community corrections at $9,200, remonumentation at $4,000, and marine safety.

Totally cutting all non-mandated services would save approximately $530,745.

However, it was noted that even though animal control, TNU and marine services are non-mandated services, they should be kept because they aren’t costly to the county.

Commissioners worked a deal with Sanilac County’s Animal Control to operate the animal shelter without a cost to the county, while the marine safety program and TNU are paid for by grants.

Even though the proposed cuts would have devastating impacts, there were no impassioned pleas or indignant rebukes from those affected.

The meeting was orderly, and packets of information were given to the commissioners regarding the consequences of their actions.

Packets of information from the Tuscola County Sheriff’s Department, MSU Extension Office services, the accomplishments of the Tuscola County Economic Development Corporation, and the county’s emergency management program were presented.

According to the presentations, in one way or another, the elmination of some non-mandated services could have a backlash of consequences.

Michigan State Police Emergency Management Division’s Third District Commander, Lt. Harry Partridge, agreed that if the county’s emergency management program was cut, whoever was chairman of the board of commissioners could take over.

“But there are a lot of rules and regulations to know,” said Partridge, noting doing such an action would jeopardize the county’s ability to work with FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), and get funding.

After more discussion, it was decided to continue to study the matter, and the proposal to cut non-mandated services was tabled.

The next county meeting is 8 a.m. Tuesday at the Tuscola County Courthouse annex.