$3 mill. cut from 2010 Vigo Co. budget

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - Because of property tax caps, Vigo County faces a $3 million deficit in 2010, cutting the total budget from $56 to $53 million.

The county council president said each department, from the sheriff's department to county roads, submitted a 2010 budget reducing non-personnel costs, like gasoline and office supplies, by 15 percent.

"The annual budget committee's just about ready to make those recommendations to the full council," Vigo County Council President Kathy Miller said.

Two areas of interest to taxpayers were costs for take home vehicles and cell phones for county employees. Now, cell phone costs will be reduced to $35 a month. Fuel allotment for take home vehicles will be cut by 20 percent, except for emergency vehicles. Several departments also lost employees through attrition and will not replace them.

"It's very important to be responsible with the taxpayer's money," Miller said. "With a decrease like we've experienced this year, we've had to look in every area that can be cut in order to not increase taxes and save as many jobs as possible."

The council is set to approve the 2010 budget on Tuesday.