MALONE -- Franklin County department heads were bluntly told this week to cut expenses, increase revenue and get along with less because state aid is going down.

They will also be required to better track physical assets, such as supplies, equipment and furniture, and to follow through on requisitions and reports.

All county staff will also have to comply with new attendance, work-time and identification-system protocols or they won't get a paycheck, said County Manager James Feeley.

STATE CUTBACKS

Gov. David Paterson recently pronounced that state revenues have "fallen off a cliff," leaving a $4.5 million to $5 million budget deficit.

The state is reducing its spending by 3.5 percent by not filling vacancies and curtailing personal (customer) services. Agency reimbursements to localities will be reduced by 2 percent retroactive to April 1.

"We're already four months into our fiscal year, and our revenue is changing," Feeley told county legislators Thursday.

"All non-personal services are to be reviewed (at the state level) to determine which are less essential, can be reduced or eliminated.

"These are their (department heads') marching orders.

"These cuts are real, lasting and will have implications beyond fiscal year '08. Anything we can save this year makes us stronger next year."

TIGHTENING

Feeley said that in some cases, taking into account reimbursement rates, a 2-percent state cut actually translates into as much as a 15.25-percent reduction of funding at the county level.

Those drastic changes mean harsh decisions, such as leaving non-mandated vacancies left unfilled, examining the critical need for a service, assessing essential employee skills and preserving all positive revenue streams.

Feeley told legislators that department heads were warned to "be prepared to adjust should refilling be denied."

Overtime, travel and training is to be limited as much as possible, and departments are being told to rely more on e-mail, conference calls and teleconferencing when possible.