County reduces budget by $1.26 million

To make up for a potential loss in state funding, the Columbia County Commission voted Tuesday to reduce the county budget by more than $1.26 million.

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The cuts reflect a 2.6 percent reduction in spending for nearly all departments.

When Gov. Sonny Perdue froze the Homestead Tax Relief Grants this year, the county lost $1.45 million in state money. County Administrator Steve Szablewski said officials hope to regain the remaining $190,000 in lost money through a hiring freeze.

The commission also voted Tuesday that all new employees, except those under onstitutional officers such as the sheriff, must first meet with Szablewski's approval. Division directors can appeal to the commission, however, on any personnel issue.

Also at the meeting:

- The fee for a shot at rabies clinics run by Animal Care and Control was raised to $5.

- To fund a new program offering industry incentives, the commission approved transferring $2 million from the landfill budget.

- The commission extended flexible work schedules until the end of the year. The measure allows four-day work weeks and other creative schedules.

- A nearly $54,000 bid by Tran Construction to build a sidewalk on part of South Old Belair Road was accepted. The funding will come from the 2001-05 sales tax.