MASON BUDGET CUTS Mason County Wrestles With Budget Cuts
Reported by: Dan Matics
Web Producer: Heath Harrison
Reported: Mar. 6, 2013 9:57 PM EST
Updated: Mar. 7, 2013 5:06 AM EST
EYEWITNESS ONLINE WEBCAST VIDEO C L I C K T O P L A Y
Mason County
, West Virginia
Slowed operations at a local power plant are expected to put a financial burden on Mason County's budget.
The county is expected to cut half a million dollars from its budget.
County Administrator John Jerlach confirmed Wednesday, along with another county official, that Mason County is seeing a huge decline in tax revenue from a power plant in the northern portion of the county.
Jerlach said increased EPA regulations forced the Phillips Sporn AEP plant to shut down one of their power producing units.
As a result, the county is expected to suffer a revenue decline of $429,000.
This means that county officials are forced to cut spending in the county.
People living in the area say they're sad to hear this rumor confirmed and are worried for people with county jobs.
"This county can’t afford to lose more jobs than it already has,”Jenna Parson said. “It’s hard enough to find work. They don't need to cut more than they have to.”
The Mason County Commission is expected to vote on the budget March 21.
Police: Officer fatal shooting 'premeditated' May 26, 2013 4:47 PM EDT Kentucky State Police say the fatal shooting of a police officer was premeditated and are asking for the public's help in finding suspects.
Fishing boat with 2 teens aboard flips, 1 drowns May 26, 2013 5:26 PM EDT Authorities in southeastern Michigan say a 17-year-old boy from suburban Detroit drowned after the boat in which he and a companion were fishing overturned.
Dan Matics
