Watch VideoEl Paso County budget cut could have dire consequences
Story By: Susan Davies
Source: KOAA
El Paso County commissioners are feeling the heat over cuts made in last year's budget. Department managers are making dire predictions as they wrestle with shortages for information technology and building maintenance.
The I.T. department claims almost five million dollars worth of equipment will be obsolete in a year or two. The sheriff's office is particularly concerned about crashing servers and the impact on public safety. Explains Sheriff Terry Maketa, "if we lose a server, we'll be operating blind."
The county maintains 2.3 million square feet of building space. Budget cuts have left the county 3.8 million dollars short to maintain and repair buildings. Of particular concern is the Criminal Justice Center roof. Replacing the leaking roof will cost between 300,000 - 350,000 dollars. If no repairs are made, mold and deterioration could create larger, more expensive problems. And with 180 inmates inside, major rennovations become very difficult. Commissioners plan to start work on the 2009 county budget soon.
