Commission Committee Refuses to Fund Schools, Passes Half-measure

And really, to call it a half-measure is generous. In the face of a $5 million budget hole and 91 jobs being lost, the County Commission's Budget Committee offered just over $500,000 to save 40 jobs this year. Commissioners say "there's no money" and flatly refuse to consider even a small tax increase.

Meanwhile, Board members expressed frustration that the County Commission was trying to micro-manage the Board's budget.

Commissioners also have refused to acknowledge that their failure to act this year will result in a similar, though more drastic, situation next year.