Eaton County outlines $8.4 million in budget cuts; county road patrol eliminated, Delta Township contract expanded

Commissioner Droscha, chair of the Ways and Means Committee, told the Eaton County Board of Commissioners that the board has cut nearly $8,400,000 from the recommended budget and is prioritizing capital improvements and amortization of pension liabilities. The budget presented at the Sept. 16 public hearing reduces full-time equivalents from 418 to 389 and, officials said, eliminates the county road patrol effective Oct. 1.

The reductions are wide-ranging and include staff and service cuts across multiple departments. Controller Selby summarized the change as “probably the most intense, budget process” the county has seen and confirmed the $8,400,000 figure and the reduction of roughly 29 full-time-equivalent positions. Finance Director Melissa Ballard said the revised plan sets aside money for long-term liabilities and a capital improvement plan and that, in the coming fiscal year, revenues will exceed…