Waterloo- In an attempt to keep taxes down for the next year, a joint committee of the Seneca County Board of Supervisors has recommended that a series of “freezes” on county spending begin this month.Meeting on Thursday(May 5th 2005), the county’s Personnel and Finance Committees approved freezing most hiring, overtime, travel and purchases of equipment by the county. According to Edward Barto, Chairman of the Fiance Committee, and Chuck Lafler, Chair of the Personnel Committee, no vacancies will be filled unless the position is predetermined to be “critical” to county operations or public safety. Similarly, the county would be implementing a ban on most overtime, except for matter involving public safety, public order and similar “emergency” situations.The committee is also recommending that non-essential travel and purchases of new equipment over $500.00 be frozen at least until the end of the year.The committees met following a request by Board Chairman Robert Shipley for all departments to look at new ways to cut costs.The proposals will be taken up by the full board at it’s regular May 10th meeting.
