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Fri Nov 20 23:43:09 PST 2009

NEWS

County Budget Talks Begin

Barclay Pollak

UPDATED Tuesday, November 17, 2009 --- 5:50 a.m. Madison.com reports the Dane County Board did approve the capital budget after our 10pm broadcast. The operating budget is $460 million; capital budget is $29 million. ____________________________________________ Posted Monday, November 16, 2009 10:30 p.m. It's a topic that's been hotly debated this fall after possible cuts to services were announced. According to Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk, this was the hardest budget the county has faced since the great depression. But, it is half-way over. Just before NBC15's 10 p.m. broadcast the county board approved the operating budget. Now all that's left is the capital budget. Every department was asked to make cuts and all county employees were asked to take 3% pay cuts. Most have agreed to the cuts...but the deliberations are on going between the county and some unions. One of those unions is the Dane County Deputy Sheriff's Association. Once Monday's county budget meeting started, focus quickly turned to them and their ongoing negotiations with the county. Dane County Sheriff Dave Mahoney was brought up to the front of the room to answer questions about how his department would be affected, who'd be cut if layoffs were necessary and how morale was in his department. Sheriff Mahoney says, "It's fairly low because there's a lot of stress. Particularly among the younger deputies. As you know when I took office in 2007 one of my priorities was to increase diversity. Those are the very people who are worried today about losing their jobs. " Both of the amendments proposed by county board supervisors Monday night that would've restored some funding to the department were rejected. Before tonight's meeting we spoke to County Executive Kathleen Falk and she says she is confident the two sides will come to terms at the bargaining table. There was also a measure introduced that would cut the salaries of the county board supervisors by 20%. According to the board supervisor who introduced it the board needed to lead by example when it comes to cuts. But that amendment was also rejected.

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