WCBC

April 17th, 2020 by WCBC Radio

Allegany County Finance Director Jason Bennett painted a less than rosy budget picture when he addressed the County Commissioners during a Thursday afternoon work session.  Much of the session focused on the real potential of significant fiscal hits in the coming months driven by the COVID-19 coronavirus.  Already faced with a $2.1 million deficit,  Bennett presented a number of proposals to balance the budget moving forward, including dipping into the reserve fund for nearly $785,000. Other recommendations included flat funding the budgets of the Library; Animal Shelter and Arts Council. All of those groups had sought budget increases. The county will reduce capital requests by $500,000- and there will be staffing reductions through attrition- and a hiring freeze.  County Commissioners President Jake Shade said given the potentially dire fiscal situation, now more than ever,  the county should be fully exploring opportunities to consolidate government services…