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Originally posted by aproudamerican

Everyone keeps passing the buck on why we are in financial trouble. I checked the state audit and our investments made $700,000.00 less than expected, so why do they tell us we are about $1,500,000.00 in the hole? Or could it be a combination of less investment returns and needless spending? No matter what happens I'm sure we will be watching how they spend our money more...Grants for this and grants for that, but very very few grants are 100%. Bike paths are nice but when they are in better shape than our roads there's a problem. The fair is nice but how much money goes into it (for one week a year) from county funds and how much do we get back. Remember it's like $5.00 a person to get in and the fair gets a % of concessions and sales. How much do they make in one week and does any come back to the taxpayers? How about the $600,000.00+ land purchase for the fairgrounds? Can we sell it now for what we paid? It'll be hard when it is only appraised for 166,000.00. Needless spending and now the taxpayers get it....

A Proud American

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Originally posted by curious mind

Cateyes - you can go on and on and on about "cutting hours" but the department heads flatly stated that they couldn't cut corners any more than they have, and that they would be forced to layoff employees - you obviously don't take them seriously (or, like stockberger when he threw his fit, thought they were being "punitive")

I believe what those department heads are predicting, and would bet that such layoffs begin soon - right around Thanksgiving, and with few to no options for another job; and no prospects in the near future, as there is no agency in town trying to lure businesses to our community to improve the unemployment situation

I think I'll opt for the 25 cents on every hundred dollars option to ensure that our unemployment rate doesn't rise - I wouldn't want to explain to anyone who's laid off, or perhaps their children, why I refused to pay that measly 25 cents for every hundred dollars and helped place them in the unemployment line





"You might have to fight a battle more than once to win it" - Margaret Thatcher

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Originally posted by cateyes

So you telling me..they cant cut anymore..because THEY dont want to be the ones that is seen as causing layoffs??

Then the department heads need salary roll back..because they are not managing well....had descions come with being head of the department...

Now I understand IF services are to stay the same...cut backs can not be done.but what I am saying...is we cant not at this time..afford yesterday way of doing county business..so cuts must be...

Just as in corp America....less people are covering more responsiblity then before....cut backs of employees has caused more responsiblity to those still with the companies...

Why is this not for gov too???

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Originally posted by curious mind

I'm sure the department heads will be enthralled by your comments regarding their competence - frankly, I have faith in all of their abilities to effectively run their departments - if you don't, apply for their job

fact - layoffs have started

are you going to be going door to door to visit the employees who are laid off to explain why you didn't think you needed to pay 25 cents on every hundred dollars to ensure their employment? or try to explain it to their kids?

just wondering.......

"You might have to fight a battle more than once to win it" - Margaret Thatcher

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Originally posted by NothingReallyMatters

CM..Why are you stating that government workers have a right to a job while the people who pay their wages do not?

Funny how you invoke religious hoidays here while saying their are unconstituional everywhere else you post...

No more taxes....period

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Originally posted by NothingReallyMatters

No they haven't

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Originally posted by RockandRollmama

I'm not from Knox County, but just curious..what are their benefits? how much do they get paid?

What if nothing exists and we're all in somebody's dream? Or what's worse, what if only that fat guy in the third row exists?
woody allen

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Originally posted by design

My friend was given the unemployment slip several months ago. After 9 years was told not to expect to be called back.

The benefits... Pers (Public Employees Retirement), Health Insc, vacation, sick and personal days. (Not sure if the have life insc, as State emp[loyees do)
Pay depends on the job. The Prosecutor (Lawyers) and Judges would be at the top ranges and clerks, receptions at the bottom. It's all public information. Just go to the county web sites and dig!. You can see who makes what.

design

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Originally posted by NothingReallyMatters

LMFAO...get a clue, do you have any idea at all what it takes to manage a budget?

Cut now, cut deep...it's gonna get much, much worse....you don't want to nickle and dime it for 3-5 years. Across the board pay cuts of 20% is the answer. That will allow employees to settle in for a few years without worrying about pay cuts all the time.

Furloughs are indeed vacations....the days off are not used to work, they are used as the person sees fit. Nobody should be asked to pay someone for taking a day off get a clue.

Cancel all unneccessary prohgrams and projects. Why should slackers be employed while hard workers take cuts...fire the slackers, keep the hard workers working hard.

Government employees should be giving back more to the community as well. Firement sit around doing nothing, waiting for the bells to sound (which very seldom happen at all), the firemen could be working at the hospitals while they are waiting for the alarm, or the cops could double up as firemen.

Start thinking outside the box.

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