Hill County looks to hold the line with new budget

The Hill County Commission has set three one-hour hearings for discussion of the proposed 2011-2012 county budget.

The hearings will be from 10 to 11 a. m. Friday, Monday and Tuesday, with the vote on adopting the budget scheduled for next Thursday at 2 p. m.

Commision Chair Mike Wendland said Wednesday that it looks like the budget should be close to the same amount approved last year, which had a general fund of $5,033,879.

The commission was still working on the budget Wednesday, awaiting final revenue numbers from the Hill County Clerk and Recorder's Office.

Wendland said the commission had requested that county departments submit budget requests without any capital expenditures to try to keep in line with last year's budget. He said it looks possible that the county could afford to give employees some cost-of-living adjustment raises this year.

The wages in the county government have been frozen for two years.