Looks like a lot of wasteful welfare and socialist programs can be cut out completely.
AIKEN --- Despite a tough upcoming budget year, Aiken city and county leaders say they hope to keep their services intact.
But they acknowledge that might not be possible.
"There's clearly going to be some effect. I just hope this is a minimal effect," said Aiken County Administrator Clay Killian, referring to how the county's proposed 2009-10 fiscal year budget calls for a 20 percent reduction in county funds to some state and community agencies.
The proposed cuts, which could change over the two remaining readings before the county council, come amid a $1.5 million decrease in state funding to the county.
Among the groups affected is the Lower Savannah Council of Governments, which oversees the Best Friends Express transit program in Aiken County and several other services, including a tourism and aging program and Meals on Wheels.
"Will it have an impact? I suspect that it will, but we're doing everything we can to avoid reducing service," said the council's Wayne Rogers. "I can't tell you exactly what impact there will be right now."
The county's cut, Mr. Rogers said, represents about $50,000 to his group. The council has a budget of $14 million, so the cut in county funds "won't be a tremendous impact," Mr. Rogers said.
When asked whether a change in hours of service for Best Friend Express could be considered, though, he said, "It may be ... but we're going to do everything we can to avoid reducing service."
Other groups hit by the funding cut that starts in July include the county's 211 program and the Clemson Extension Service.
Suzanne Holmes, a lead agent in the extension office, said the cut is less than $1,000 for her office. She said it won't affect her services, but it could mean cutbacks on classroom materials for programs such as 4-H. She said the fees the office charges for some programs also might be increased.
Janice Leonard-Hoffman, the executive director of the county's information line 211, said her 24/7 service will not be affected by its $20,000 reduction. Some cost adjustments, though, will be needed, she said.
She had thought about hiring an extra person to answer phones, but she said that won't be possible now.
"With the economy the way it is, we anticipated a cut of some sort. Twenty percent, every dollar counts in nonprofit, but we were just very appreciative that we were still included in the budget," she said.
The county also has been talking with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control about potentially closing a satellite office in North Augusta that provides such services as WIC and food stamp assistance. The county has a main DHEC office in Aiken.
Closing the North Augusta office, in the Business Technology Center on East Martintown Road, would save the county about $80,000 a year in rental space. But Mr. Killian said the county is still weighing what to do.
"They wouldn't stop serving them," Mr. Killian said. "Those folks would just have to get to Aiken if they close that office. ... We've asked DHEC for some numbers, and we're just now starting to get those as to how many people they serve ... But no decision has been made on that."
Mr. Killian and Aiken City Manager Roger LeDuc said they've been able to keep county and city services intact partly by cutting planned vehicle and equipment purchases. The city of Aiken hasn't removed funding for any of the outside agencies it has supported in the past, including the Council on Aging, the Children's Advocacy Center and the Cumbee Center.
Reach Preston Sparks at (803) 648-1395, ext. 110, or preston.sparks@augustachronicle.com.
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