Swain County found itself $1 million short. Reasons for the shortfall include the state’s Medicaid swap, budget overruns, and votes by the county commissioners to spend more. To make up the difference, county offices will be closed five days. Police officers won’t have to take the mandatory furloughs because state law allows the elected sheriff to have final say in whether or not his employees get a pay cut. Emergency workers who cannot be furloughed will have their salaries cut 2%. In addition, money will be transferred from the schools into the general fund with the hope the state will restore it. One time in recent history, Swain County ran out of money and had to get a loan just to make its payroll.
Commission Chair Glenn Jones recommended consolidating purchasing to realize savings by buying in bulk. He also recommended axing any non-mandatory training. Commissioner David Monteith recommended terminating the take-home vehicle policy (which could backfire). He also gave up his pay through the end of the year. This went into effect with the vote of his peers, who will be keeping their salaries.
