COURTHOUSE CUTS

The state of Alabama budget cuts may soon cut right through the paychecks of county employees come the end of November. The very reason Houston County Circuit Court Judge Larry Anderson recently made a request to the County Commission to help save employees from facing unemployment. "Thirty Thousand dollars per position times the four positions is $120,000.00 a year, 10,000.00 a month. If we can get a partnership between the state, county and the city in the amount of $10,000.00 a month, we can save these positions for 6 months," says Anderson. The Commission has agreed to look into appropriating funds from a deferred prosecution plan but says theyre not really in a position to help the state. "Well were proposing that the commission allow them to retain that money for 6 months to get them through the state legislative process and see if the state will handle its own problems," says Chairman Mark Culver. Judge Anderson says he understands the responsibility of saving employees` jobs lies in the hands of the state, but unfortunately has been dumped into the laps of counties and municipalities. "...but thats where we are and we want to save these positions, not just to save jobs, but because it impacts public safety and welfare of this county," says Anderson. Courthouse employee Rosalyn Jones, whos family depends solely on her income, says facing a possible layoff is absolutely devastating. "Its been frustrating not knowing who is going to be laid off, its been weeks weve all been frustrated, the fact that we may have to get in the economy like it is to find jobs, its going to be difficult for everybody," says Jones. The counties deferred prosecution fund is money from the county courthouse revenue. Twenty-five dollars per case falls under this bill generating about a $1,000 a month, which Anderson says will help save at least one job.