County Looks For Cuts, Eyes Employee Perks

Mobile County Sheriff A $5 million budget shortfull has Mobile County commissioners looking for cuts and they could come at the expense of county workers.

by Jessica Taloney

Published: Thu, September 24, 2009 - 4:19 pm CST Last Updated: Thu, September 24, 2009 - 5:22 pm CST

MOBILE, Alabama - A $5 million budget shortfall has Mobile County commissioners looking for cuts, and they could come at the expense of county workers.

Commissioners met Thursday to figure out how to reduce spending. One idea discussed was to eliminate employees' $5 per day lunch allowance and end of the year bonuses, which are based on years of service. Commissioners estimate the savings in the first year would add up to $2 million.

"My primary goal is not to have to lay anybody off," said District 1 Commissioner Merceria Ludgood, who supported the cuts until she learned about a lawsuit from the early 1990's, which would prohibit the commission from cutting the perks for law enforcement officers hired before August 1992. Ludgood said she couldn't support making cuts unless it was across the board.

Sheriff Sam Cochran spoke at Thursday's meeting, telling commissioners cutting the perks for any of their employees would be a bad idea.

"It would be such a huge impact on morale for such a small savings," said Cochran. "We're talking just a couple hundred dollars per employee that you're going to take away, and that's not going to solve the problems of the county right now."

Cochran urged commissioners to look elsewhere to find cuts, but Commission President Mike Dean said the alternative could mean laying off as many as 40 workers.

"We look at an idea, sometimes that idea is not too popular," said Dean. "But, we wanted the employees to know we need your help in this budget crisis."

Commissioners will meet again Monday to vote on a budget.

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KxVicious Says:

Fri, Sep 25, 2009 at 3:09 pm

I shop at Dollar General and Target, and I’m a vegetarian.

ickthus Says:

Fri, Sep 25, 2009 at 12:07 pm

Why I don’t know how long bob. Maybe we could ask the FBI, should only take two years or until someone retires

BamaBob Says:

Fri, Sep 25, 2009 at 10:34 am

I see across the top that J. Taloney is keeping a close eye on Herman “Spanky” Thomas. What is the statute of limitations for playing whack-an-inmate?

BamaBob Says:

Fri, Sep 25, 2009 at 10:16 am

I can’t get out of WalMart without spending at least a 100 bucks. I’ve never had a lunch allowance as part of a job. That must be something they did one year when they could not give a cost of living raise.

Mom2AngelBaby Says:

Fri, Sep 25, 2009 at 10:06 am

I agree, take away from the ppl in high ranks, not that ones doing the dirty work for little pay. I say the same thing for schools! I work for the county, and we dont’ get no lunch allowance! But really when was it ever put in to play to feed your employee on a dialy basis. I dont see where its the county’s job to do that. I mean yeah maybe at the holidays or something but not a daily allowance!

KX, Im not sure if you have other family members your responsible for feeding. But, I know I don’t get much at the grocery store for 100 bucks. Four or five bags, and were not talking t.bone steaks either. Maybe you know a secret to grocery shopping that I don’t

BamaBob Says:

Fri, Sep 25, 2009 at 7:30 am

Why is there such a short fall? Didn’t they see this coming? Plus, didn’t the city just take over a large portion of the county, which should have relieved them of routine maintenance expense in those areas.

If the county is already having serious shortfalls and the city is still spending money like a bunch of drunk sailors, what is going to happen to them in six months?

bluejules Says:

Fri, Sep 25, 2009 at 5:57 am

I work for the county & would rather give up the daily allowance & end of year bonuses than to get laid off. I can’t speak for all employees, but my morale would be in the dumps if I was laid off.

ronald t Says:

Fri, Sep 25, 2009 at 2:50 am

there coming up short and borrowing money,that just doesn’t seem to be good business,who are these freeks?i am a little new here.

KxVicious Says:

Thu, Sep 24, 2009 at 8:20 pm

If anything, they should DOCK THEIR PAY $5 A DAY and give’m a public school cafeteria style meal…

KxVicious Says:

Thu, Sep 24, 2009 at 8:17 pm

$5 a day lunch allowance?? That’s $100 a month if you work 5 days a week! I don’t even spend that much ALL MONTH on ALL MY MEALS!

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