BY SANDRA K. REABUCK
EBENSBURG — Continuing work on the proposed 2009 budget, the Cambria County commissioners said Friday that more layoffs could be coming in jobs other than the previously announced ones at Laurel Crest, the county nursing home.
“It’s very possible,” President Commissioner P.J. Stevens said.
The commissioners expect to present the new budget Tuesday and reveal how much of a tax increase will be needed to balance it. A tax increase of at least 1.4 mills is anticipated to pay back the $6 million being borrowed this month to cover shortfalls at Laurel Crest.
“We’re still refining it,” Stevens said. “We’ve been carving so much at this budget, I feel like a butcher.”
Commissioner Bill Harris, who along with Stevens and Milan Gjurich took office in 2004, said, “This is the toughest once since taking office.”
The commissioners have said that three major factors are impacting the new budget:
• An anticipated $1.5 million contribution to the pension as the county’s share. In better economic times the county makes enough interest earnings to cover the cost.
• A $535,000 increase in health-care costs.
• Unknown cuts in state reimbursements because of cutbacks being made by the state.
On Friday, 12 Laurel Crest employees – mostly dietary aides and laundry workers – were laid off.
The commissioners said that the 12 were among the work force reductions previously announced.
Earlier, nine employees were furloughed, with a total of 39 positions to be abolished. Some, however, are being made through attrition.
Ron Baker, human resource director, said that only about two more Laurel Crest workers will be affected by the cutbacks.
