Budget Woes Continue

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Commissioners continue to talk about the new budget. Over the next few weeks, commissioners will come up with their budget battle plan. However, compromise doesn’t seem to be in the near future. Judge Joel Baker says Smith County has never experienced budget problems like we have now. By the end of August, the court has to reach a decision. But, according to KETK, this week, they are struggling to agree.

More than 30 county jobs may be eliminated from the county and elected officials are defending their departments. One official says the court has already taken almost everything away from their employees. Another man begs to keep his employees, saying they cannot do the job with one less person. Smith County Commissioner Jeff Warr says he hopes they will reach a budget that is fair to everyone. Warr says, “There’s no agreement on many major issues, but that’s part of the process–especially when you’re in tough economic times.”