With a shortfall in the current budget for the county, the Harney County budget committee is continuing to meet with department heads to discuss possible cuts.

The county court is currently attempting to cut enough funds for this fiscal year to arrive at a zero fund balance. By doing so, the county would avoid having to start the next fiscal year with a loan to pay back.

County Judge Pete Runnels stated that the shortfall occurred over a five-year period, and the budget committee is reviewing every department’s budget to identify possible cuts.

On Monday, April 22, the county court heard from several department heads, including a presentation by Jail Commander Lieutenant Roxane Ellis regarding the county jail.

Ellis said she performed an analysis of operational issues and came up with four options that the county could take to try and save money. The first option would be to cut $35,000 from the budget as requested. The second option would be turn the jail into a holding facility. The third option is shutting down the jail, and the fourth option is fixing the problems and moving forward. She explained the pros and cons of each option, and recommended the fourth option.

That option included filling four reserve, part-time positions to help with staffing the jail. Ellis added that if the county could build a new, bigger facility, it could then contract beds out to receive additional revenue.

The budget committee will continue to meet with different county entities to see where cuts can be made. The next meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday, May 9, in Judge Runnels’ office.