Hardeman County leaders discuss budget cuts
BOLIVAR, Tenn. — Veteran Hardeman County commissioners said borrowing money around this time of year to pay county employees is nothing new. “This isn’t the first time it’s happened,” said Major Wilburn, a seven-year commissioner. Wilburn also serves on the budget committee. He said for the last three years the county has borrowed from the debt fund in September for payroll as it awaits property taxes due in October. Newly elected Mayor Jimmy Sain said this has to change. “We have to streamline all we do for the next 24 months and build up our operating fund,” Sain said. Wilburn said it’s not that easy. Three years ago, he said the county had to step in when the city of Bolivar said it could not afford the $300,000 a year it was giving to the school district. Sain said that is no excuse. “I’m not in a rock-throwing contest to find out whose fault it is. My job is to fix the problem,” he said. Wilburn said the county needs to increase revenue and raise property taxes. Sain said he does not think that is the answer, and he is confident he can fix the budget issues without cutting jobs — but technically he has. “There has been one part-time position eliminated,” he said. Another employee at the county’s landfill has been put on unpaid administrative leave. Sain would not comment on why but said he does not anticipate any more job cuts or raising taxes.
