[Vision2020] Maybe joining with Lewiston Isn't Such a Bad Idea.....

[Wayne Price]

LEADING BY EXAMPLE! And what did we do here in Moscow? The City  
Council gave the city employees and themselves a raise!



Nez Perce Co. commissioners consider taking a pay cut

LEWISTON - Faced with the prospect of not being able to afford future  
Jail bond payments, Nez Perce County commissioners say they are  
considering a pay cut to save taxpayers money.
The three commissioners met with a few department heads Wednesday  
afternoon to discuss the budget. Last week, commissioners asked  
departments to cut an additional $127,000. Chairman Mike Grow said  
rolling back their salary to what it was before the last increase is  
one way to take the lead in making the tough cuts.
"We thought that as leaders of the county we should take the first hit  
before we started having to make cuts anywhere," said Grow. "The first  
ones that ought to take the hit are the leaders."
Auditor Patty Weeks said the cut would save the county approximately  
$8,700. Commissioner Doug Havens said the county is trying to build up  
reserves for those future jail payments. With the economy the way it  
is, he said they asked others in the county to take a cut as well.
"Though we haven't taken a final vote, it's something that we're  
considering for ourselves," said Havens. "And we thought we would  
offer it to the other elected officials as well, while we're having  
this budget crisis."
In response to the commissioners request, elected officials declined a  
voluntary salary rollback. Currently the commissioners face raising  
property taxes at least 2 % to make up revenue. Resident Jim Kluss  
attended the meeting and urged the county to make the budget work  
without relying on taxpayers.
"I think what I'm saying is representative of very many people who  
live in this county," said Kluss. "I don't believe it's at all  
unreasonable to work with a 0% increase in property taxes."
The final budget will be adopted following a public hearing on  
September 6th.
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