By Patricia Breakey
DELHI _ The Delaware County Board of Supervisors has decided to freeze salaries and cost-of-living raises for all county employees to counteract rising costs and falling sales-tax revenues.
Chairman James Eisel said a memo was released to all department heads on Aug. 19 notifying them that the 2010 personnel budget worksheets do not include any increase in salaries, with the exception of longevity pay. There will be no cost-of-living salary adjustments or step increments, he said.
"In my meetings with the board we have decided, as distasteful as it is, not to give any raises in 2010," Eisel said. "This is not a good year for taxpayers who are unemployed and we must do our part; they expect nothing less."
Eisel said that because of the downturn in the economy, the receipt of sales-tax revenues has fallen by more than $1.3 million to date and may drop by as much as $3 million by the end of the year.
In addition, mortgage-tax receipts are down and revenues are being cut at the state level.
Eisel said as revenues decline, expenses are increasing. He said the county is looking at a possible 24.5 percent increase in health insurance, which totals an additional $1.5 million and a 3-to-5 percent increase in retirement benefit costs.
"The board would like to do whatever it can to contain these escalating costs," Eisel said. "Therefore, we would like to see the budget mirror the 2009 budget. Our fund balance is eroding fast and we may be in more financial trouble in 2010 if the economy doesn't turn around."
Eisel said contract negotiations with the Civil Service Employees Association and the New York State Nursing Association will take place this year, and they will insist that salaries remain flat. He added that the deputies in the sheriff's department will receive their raises because of the contracts that are currently in place.
The board also passed a resolution in memory of Eugene Merrill, who served as supervisor of Colchester from 1973 to 1985 and 1996 to 1999.
Colchester Supervisor Robert Homovich said Merrill "served his county in World War II and was wounded, served his community and served his family."
Eisel said during the years he served with Merrill, the supervisor was colorful, sincere and had a real sense of his community.
