SACRAMENTO (CBS13) ― Motivated to save money, El Dorado workers could save their own jobs by coming up with creative concepts to cut costs.
Supervisors came up with the idea to create a long list of small cuts to save big.
They started by getting rid of a fountain, decorative landscape which was costing El Dorado County about $8700 a year to maintain.
"I'm sorry, I didn't get elected to say this is nice to look at," says Ray Nutting, El Dorado County Supervisor.
Faced with a $14 million dollar budget deficit, County Supervisor, Ray Nutting, is looking for creative ways to save money. And, he's asking county employees for solutions and suggestions have been pouring in.
For example, changing the county car policy by cutting back on how many workers take vehicles home. Or, re-work vacation policies so workers "use it or lose it" which he says could save the county millions.
Also, one employee suggested that eliminating expense accounts for county supervisors, so taxpayers don't pay for their gas, food, or lodging for work related travel.
"By doing one drop at a time, you're easing the pressure on the overall budget," explains Nutting.
Both county managers and employees talked to say it's a step in the right direction.
"The solutions will come from the rank and file employees because they know more about running the county than anybody else," says Joe Harn, County Auditor and Controller.
Supervisors are expected to vote on the cuts come Monday.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
http://cbs13.com/local/El.Dorado.Employees.2.945581.html
