Budget moves forward without 15 positions

Balancing the Douglas County budget will require the elimination of 15 full-time equivalent positions.

Of those seven are coming from China Spring Youth Camp and are layoffs.

There are three deputies included in the cuts, but Sheriff Dan Coverley said he had nine open positions and 4-5 new positions on the line.

Also eliminated are a systems administrator and building inspector position, along with a half time intern position.

A librarian and deputy recording clerk position are being held and one library technician is being reduced from full time to part time.

The cuts were part of reducing $646,878 from the county budget, almost entirely from salaries and benefits.

Among the cuts to the budget are the money set aside for community grants, according to Chief Financial Officer Kathy Lewis.

Grants Manager Debbie Swickard said the committee reviewing those applications, which were turned in on March 29, will continue its work in case funding becomes available.

Commissioner Sharla Hales endorsed the program at the April 30 meeting.

“The funding to nonprofits has done a lot of good for not much money,” she said.

“It has been heart rending to have to do this,” Commission Chairman Wes Rice said. “I’d like to thank staff for taking the deep dive.”

A projected 1.01-percent decrease in state consolidated taxes and a less than expected 5.07 percent increase in property taxes contributed to the need to find cuts.

Douglas County commissioners will discuss the final adoption 10 a.m. May 20 of the county budget at the Douglas County Courthouse in Minden, 1616 8th St.

Budgets for the towns of Gardnerville, Genoa, and Minden will also be presented. The town boards are advisory to the county commission.

To view materials for this meeting, or to watch the meeting live visit douglascountynv.gov For questions concerning the hearings, call the Douglas County Manager’s Office at 775-782-9821.