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The first of seven public meetings to address a multi-million dollar deficit in the Pima County budget began today.
County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry announced a uniform 2 percent budget cut would be spread across all departments. He says some could see further funding reductions so the county can close a $23 million deficit.
Supervisor Richard Elias began by asking Huckelberry if $23 million is the final amount of cuts, or cost transfers, from the state.
“We have numbers and I trust your numbers, but the volume of bills were so many and so late at night, do we really completely understand what the impact to Pima County is at this juncture?" Elias said.
Huckelberry responded by saying that further cuts could be possible.
“We do not know if there are bills that are hidden," Huckelberry said. "That could cause us to alter how we do business and hence our expenses. What we do know is that the direct cost transfers to Pima County grew to $23 million when the legislature adjourned”
Huckelberry says Pima took the greatest loss when the legislature announced $47 million in cuts to Arizona counties.
There will be six more public hearings until a final budget is approved by June 30th.
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