Cutbacks Start in New Castle County
New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer is taking steps to cut back on spending. Unlike his counterparts in state government, Meyer currently is not looking at program cutbacks.
On Tuesday, New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer announced his administration will partially freeze hiring, limit overtime, suspend out-of-state travel for government employees, reduce executive office expenses and end the practice of allowing government employees to “cash out” unused vacation time.
Meyer said “that the changes will not cover the anticipated deficit and that further cost reductions are being considered.” Hopefully, he’ll look at some tax increases to cover much-needed programs.
Just remember whose mess he is cleaning up. It is going to be tough for all, and if there is some tax/fee increases to get everything right, I’m in full support. I have full confidence in Matt to improve how government works in NCCO.
“Unlike his counterparts in state government, Meyer currently is not looking at program cutbacks.”
… because the state already did most of those things several years ago! Markell cut 1,100 jobs, or five percent of the state workforce. I’m told by friends that filling vacant positions is now a laborious and lengthy process requiring approval at multiple levels. Getting permission to travel out of state – even when it’s vital for the job and when there is money specifically set aside in the budget – is a huge pain in the ass (the Chip Flowers legacy).
That is all low-hanging fruit. And it ultimately isn’t going to make a whit of difference when Carney and the JFC come raiding the county coffers because they don’t want to raise state taxes. (Meyer isn’t going to have the guts to propose a tax increase either.)