Taylor on budgeting
I was here in 04-05. It will be harder this time since the state budget deficit is larger. As with any business, the largest cost of doing business is labor. Kings County has always been proactive in not increasing staff more than is absolutely necessary. Our department heads are some of the best in the state. They have already stopped filling vacant positions that they need but do not want to hire and have to fire. County employees will do what they did in 04-05, provide services to the public in as timely a manner as possible with the increased workload they will have. The County is obligated by the state lawmakers to deliver the services we do. Cutting services is not an option. Charging higher fees is an option based on our cost to deliver a service. Taxes are established by the Legislature or the voting public, not the County.