Media Credit: Andrew Gerstlauer Lane County Budget Committee officials listen as citizens step to the podium to discuss their opinions on the budget reforms.

Lane County Commissioners and budget staff leaned back in their chairs, listening to public input Tuesday night from concerned citizens who voiced their dismay about certain programs that are slated to be eliminated in the county's 2008-09 budget.

Some commissioners grimaced when shown pictures of animals that would go uncared for or not rescued if Lane County Animal Services is closed as currently projected. Others bowed their heads when antagonists confronted them by calling for them to take pay reductions to set an example, accused them of not taking action sooner, or just resorted to name calling - "Peter, you suck," Lonny Whelchel said to Commissioner Peter Sorenson.

However, not all the people who spoke for their allotted three minutes took frontal attacks on the budget committee members.

Many made somber points about the adverse affects that cutting the county's programs would have on the public.

Referring to the projected reduction of the number of Lane County Sheriff's Office employees, area resident Bill Powell said, "people are going to protect their own property at all costs ... Anyone with common sense knows you don't cut law enforcement, period."

Under the proposed 2008-09 county budget, the sheriff's office would have to eliminate more than a third of its workforce, reduce around the clock coverage to only 20 hours of police presence, and cut the number of jail beds from 151 down to 28. 

Richard Farrell, a 24-year sheriff's office employee, told the board that the office handed out more than 40 pink slips last week.

About 50 people attended the public hearing, and nearly 20 people gave public comments Tuesday night. A number of residents spoke on behalf of Lane County Animal Services.

The county's animal facility is currently set to be closed May 27 due to the budget cuts. LCAS workers respond to dog attacks, rescue mistreated or neglected animals and return lost pets to their owners.

LCAS officer Becky Von Stein attended the meeting, dressed in her olive green uniform, and handed out fliers of the animals that have been rescued.

"Please have an open mind in exploring additional funding option for (Lane County Animal Services)," Von Stein pleaded.

Other speakers defended the necessity of the county's wilderness search and rescue program that has been placed on the chopping block with a human services program that protects women from domestic violence.

The county's next budget meeting open to public testimony is on Friday. The meeting will begin at 6:15 p.m. in the Harris Hall of the county building, located at 125 East 8th Ave.

jreed@dailyemerald.com

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