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Constitution-Tribune
Friday, January 15, 2010

CAPTION: Brad Lager, 12th District State Sen. (left) spoke with county commissioners Ken Lauhoff (center) and Todd Rodenberg (right) Thursday at the Livingston County Courthouse about issues facing county government. During the hour-long meeting, the commissioners advised Lager to fight against unfunded mandates and cost-shifting from state to county government, among other issues.

Livingston County Commissioners asked 12th District State Sen. Brad Lager to fight against unfunded state mandates and cost-shifts from the state to counties among other issues Thursday at the county courthouse.

Commissioners Ken Lauhoff and Todd Rodenberg told the legislator that Livingston County — along with many others around the state — are struggling with declining revenue and climbing expenses.

Lauhoff, who serves as east district county commissioner, said that the county managed to carry over $200,000 from last year’s budget, thanks to conservative budgeting and cautious spending by elected officials. That, he said, will provide needed funds in 2010. However, he said, next year’s budget, will likely be even tighter which makes it nearly impossible to fund needed projects, such as paying for new bridges and making needed improvements to the Livingston County Jail. “We can’t put money back to get ready to make these repairs (or projects) when our funding keeps getting smaller,” Lauhoff said.

He also advised that the state should join the rest of the states in the union in imposing a cell phone tax to help fund the Emergency 911 centers operated by the county. Lauhoff said that the number of hard phone lines is dropping dramatically, which also decreases the amount of tax money which funds E-911 centers.