Washington County abolishes 21 jobs

Bracing for deep cuts in state aid expected by summer, commissioners in Washington County voted Tuesday to abolish the full-time equivalent of 21 county jobs, which will save about $1.4 million in salaries and benefits.

Jobs that fell under the axe included three positions intended to bolster court security, two property appraisers, a public works senior planner, a child support officer, a probation officer, a corrections sergeant in the jail and a patrol deputy. All but two of the jobs are vacant. In addition, the job of a paralegal assistant in the county attorney's office who will retire in April won't be filled.

"These are not easy cuts," said Commissioner Gary Kriesel. "What we're asking is for other employees to pick up this workload."

Commissioner Lisa Weik said the cuts will result in longer lines at county offices and fewer employees to stay abreast of the public's business.

The county projects at least a $3.2 million shortfall in this year's budget because of cuts in state aid to counties and a falloff of revenue at county offices.

Tuesday's action was the formal approval of a proposal floated during a board workshop Feb. 17.

Commissioners said they are growing weary of cutting services to county residents while having to find money to pay for unfunded mandates from state government.

In other action, commissioners voted to position the county to receive federal stimulus money to build a pedestrian bridge over County Road 83 in Forest Lake. Building that bridge, as part of the Hardwood Creek Trail, would cost about $930,000, said project manager Cory Slagle. The project is one of 11 in the metro area that has strong potential for the stimulus money, he said.

If that doesn't become available, however, the county will build the bridge in 2012. As the first step, commissioners voted to authorize a contract with a design firm for $78,000.