ANDERSON — Saying Madison County faces a $5.8 million deficit in the current fiscal year, the County Council on Tuesday night voted 4-1 to eliminate just over $2 million in spending.
“We have to take action swiftly,” said Republican at-large Councilman Mike Gaskill, “The longer we wait the more painful it’s going to be.”
Democrat John Bostic repeatedly chastised his Republican colleagues during the meeting that members didn’t have time to consider the proposed cuts, and that the strategy used by the Republican majority contravened standard council policies.
He pleaded with the majority to take more time and deliberate the potential consequences and impact of their actions.
But Republican Rick Gardner said there wasn’t any time to waste.
“We’ve got a train wreck in this budget that’s about to take place,” he said.
Bostic eventually left the meeting in disgust before the vote was taken. Democrat Larry Higgins did not attend due to illness.
The biggest single cut of $1.75 million came in group health insurance costs.
But the council eliminated a custodial position, two jobs on the Madison County commissioners staff and two voter registration positions.
The Republican majority has been threatening since rescinding the wheel tax in late February to eliminate entirely or drastically reduce the number of employees in the Information Technology Services department.
They followed through on that threat, voting to eliminate five of eight positions in the office, for a savings of about $153,000 in salaries.
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