Commissioners use pay cuts to help balance budget

Scott County employees who are not part of a collective bargaining unit will see a reduction in pay for 2009. The county's board of commissioners took the action at its meeting Tuesday, Feb. 3, after a lengthy discussion on the county's 2009 budget.

The move is one of several budget cuts the county will be taking in anticipation of additional reductions in Local Government Aid (LGA) money it receives from the state. These reductions would be in addition to the $946,000 in LGA that the state unalloted in December. That amount came out of the 2008 budget.

Salary increases for non-bargaining employees were reduced by 2 percent, retroactive to January 1, 2009. In addition, performance increases for division directors have been entirely eliminated.

Also at the Feb. 3 meeting, in a workshop, the board discussed:

• Dakota Scott Watershed Organization initial assessment and implementation ideas

• The constitutional amendment funding update and project proposal

• CAPX2020 power line route

• The Interim County Administrator process and timing options

There will be no board meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 17. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 24, at the Scott County Government Center in Shakopee.