Summit County government has put a freeze on hiring as it faces a $7 million budget deficit next year.
County commissioner Nina Waters tells Krystal 93 no one has been fired, but if someone leaves, or a position is not filled, it will remain empty.
“I’m trying my best to protect those positions,” Waters says. “Those positions are important to keep so that the workload doesn’t become too much for staff.”
Waters is not sure how long the hiring freeze will last. She is confident the county will balance its budget, but she also knows it means tough – and potentially deep – cuts to county services.
“At the county our biggest goals are, essentially, what you have been telling us for a long time,” Waters says. “Housing, childcare and protecting our natural resources, and the biggest commitment by far in recent years are roads.”
Summit earmarked $11 million for road projects this year. It is the largest road and bridge budget in county history. In November, a ballot question could help the county pay for even more road work without raising taxes.
Sheriff sues over funding
On Tuesday, Sept. 16, sparks could fly in county chambers when the sheriff’s office presents its budget. Sheriff Jaime FitzSimons recently sued the county for trying to cut funding already promised to his office. Waters vocally pushed back against the sheriff’s funding.
“As many know, (I want to see) some reductions in public safety,” Waters says, noting that public “We need to look at where to trim that (budget) while still providing the highest level of service.”
That, Waters says, is the theme this coming year.
“We are looking to do more with less,” she says. “Or, to maintain with less.”
County commissioners review funding in coming weeks. The county’s first budget is due in mid-October. The final budget is due in mid-December.