Recommendations of the Citizen Budget Oversight Committee

Recommendations of the Citizen Budget Oversight Committee for balancing El Paso County's $9.9 million budget shortfall:

• Take $3 million from an emergency reserve fund and replace it with property.

• Essentially mortgage one of the buildings belonging to the Department of Human Services, generating $1.8 million the county would use to pay bills.

• Gain $200,000 by billing the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority for purchasing contract administration.

• Cut $57,000 from the County Attorney's Office.

• Cut $50,000 from the Treasurer's Office.

• Cut $25,000 from the Procurement and Contracts Department.

• Cut $100,000 from County Administration.

• Cut $410,000 from the Clerk and Recorder's Office.

• Cut $30,000 from the Assessor's Office.

• Cut $73,000 from the Colorado State University Cooperative Extension, the entire amount of county support for the program.

• Cut $147,000 from the Financial Services Department.

• Cut $146,000 from the Security and Parking Department.

• Cut $267,000 from the Justice Services Department, the entire amount of county support for the program.

• Cut $200,000 from the Environmental Services Department.

• Cut $30,000 from the Employment, Benefits and Medical Services Department.

• Cut $500,000 from the Fleet Management Department.

• Cut $500,000 from the Facilities Management Department.

• Cut $300,000 from the Information Technology Department.

• Cut $1 million from the Department of Transportation.

• Cut $407,000 from the Department of Health and Environment.

The figures add up to $9,242,000, which is short of the $9.9 million county officials say they need to balance the books. Additional money could come from sources such as increased employee premiums for medical and dental insurance.