Eliminating some health department positions and having city firefighters teach safety in schools are being suggested as ways to help trim Lancaster County’s 2008-09 budget.

Coby Mach, representing the Lincoln Independent Business Association, told county commissioners during a Tuesday night public hearing on the proposed budget that taking such steps could save a minimum of $73,700 in  taxes.

“LIBA has questioned the need for the level of services the health department provides,” Mach said. “We acknowledge that the state generally  mandates certain services be provided, but does not often specify to what level the services are to be provided.”

 LIBA, a business group that keeps an eye on local government spending, suggested that the  health department streamline its middle management positions and eliminate the health and outreach manager position.

Mach said LIBA has no problem with the individual’s job performance but those responsibilities could be shared by the dental health and nutrition services manager and the community services manager.

 More tax dollars could be saved by eliminating two positions in the promotion and outreach department, Mach said. “We are not providing alcohol prevention; why do we need four employees in tobacco prevention?”  he asked.

Commissioner Deb Schorr pointed out that the positions are not public relations jobs but are designed to  help people make healthy lifestyle choices and help teens drive safely on rural roads.

Mach suggested that the county board examine nutritional informational services provided by the health department and Lancaster County Extension to eliminate duplication.

LIBA also suggested having city firefighters, who respond to childhood accidents, take over the responsibilities of the Safe Kids Coalition. Mach said the coalition is a worthy cause, but taking such action would save additional tax dollars. He told the county board that the idea has been discussed with the City Council.

Among the other suggestions by LIBA: implement a hiring freeze; reduce the county’s retirement from a 1.5 to 1 match  to a 1 to 1 match, and discontinue the practice of funding mid-year budget requests unless there is an emergency.

Mach was one of two speakers, who testified at the public hearing, which lasted about a half hour. The other was a representative from Lincoln City Libraries who thanked the board for its continued support.

County Board Chair Bob Workman said the $181.2 million proposed budget reflects  a policy of no expansion of services or personnel by agencies. Additional personnel requests were submitted separately for the county board’s approval.

Workman said the proposed budget is 5.77 percent more than the current budget and will require about $54 million in property taxes.

However, he said, if the County Board and City Council establish a Joint Public Agency to issue bonds for a new jail, then the first-year bond payment of about $5 million would be removed from the county budget and be treated as a separate line item by the city and county, resulting in significant interest savings.

Lancaster County’s property tax rate for the proposed budget is 28.78 cents per $100 of valuation, compared to the current tax rate of 27.55 cents.

Workman noted that general fund budget expenditures increased by about $1.2 million because there are three elections this year.

 There was some good news, though. Lancaster Manor will reimburse the general fund by $600,000, the first time that has ever occurred, Workman said. Also, there also will be about $1 million in savings because bonds have been paid off for the manor.

The county board vote on the proposed budget is set for its Aug. 26 meeting.

Reach Algis J. Laukaitis at 402-473-7243 or alaukaitis@journalstar.com