Commission candidates agree not much room for budget cuts

Four of the six candidates for Sheridan County commissioner appeared in agreement this week that there isn’t much room for cuts in the county’s roughly $16 million budget.

The four – incumbent Tom Ringley, seeking re-election, and challengers Lonnie Wright, Ward Cotton and Michael Cherni Jr. – spoke during the Chamber of Commerce candidates’ forum Wednesday night.

Candidates Bryan Helferich and Chad Saeler did not attend.

Ringley said every service the county provides is mandated by state statute.

Cotton said he agreed with Ringley.

He said one thing the county can look at is whether the county can improve the efficiency of what’s being done and possibly save some costs that way.

Cherni said the county has to look at budget areas very objectively.

Wright said the cost of personnel is always going to be the biggest expense the county will see.

Wright said he could see longer lines, and he could see a not-very-happy public, and he said he thinks the county needs to look at that really carefully.