MORGAN -- Three Morgan County Council members said the county did not tighten its financial belt enough while creating its 2012 budget.
"We as a council have a responsibility to make sure we are using funds as efficiently as possible," Councilman Robert Kilmer said. "We have not done enough to show the public we are willing to make the tough decision to get the budget in line with where it needs to be. There's too many fund balances we're draining at a time we need to be frugal."
Councilman Ned Mecham agreed.
"I'm concerned we're not looking far enough down the road," he said. "I want a leaner budget. We need to tighten our belt like everyone else is."
Kilmer is concerned the county is dipping into fund balances for ongoing expenses such as facility maintenance.
"That is bad budget procedure," he said.
"I had some sleepless nights thinking about the budget," Councilman Don Mathews said. "The cuts need to be a little deeper than we made. We should fund police, fire, ambulance and roads as budgeted, but there were opportunities in other areas to realize savings."
He did not specify which areas he believes could provide those savings.
Cutting the $4.8 million general fund budget much more would be reducing the public's level of service, something Councilwoman Ronda Kippen said she wasn't willing to do.
Chairwoman Tina Kelley said she has seen years of plenty and years of hardship during her time on the council, so she is confident in the county's 2012 budget.
"We made significant cuts. We asked all departments to make recommendations for cuts, and they came through," Kelley said. "I am grateful to the employees who made the budget work."
Councilman Lyle Nelson said the new budget reflects significant cuts, trimming $350,000 from department requests that would have included hiring several new employees. He said the county was able to keep current employees without raising taxes.
"It was a tough situation. This council did a remarkable job," he said.
Kilmer, Mecham and Mathews voted against adoption of the 2012 budget but were outvoted 4-3.
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