Kosciusko County - like virtually every other county in the state - is feeling a financial pinch during its current budget cycle. Monday, at Kosciusko County Council's first of three 2004 budget hearings, council chairman Harold Jones said at least three factors - all out of the county's hands - are putting a financial burden on the county. First, the county's share of the County Option Income Tax is being reduced this year by 10 percent by the state because the state claims it overestimated the county's share.Secondly, the low interest rates are bringing in less money for the county.And third, the state has reduced the county's maximum tax levy. With that in mind, Jones said, the budget hearings and decisions all are preliminary."We are kind of leaving everything open at this point," he said.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016