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
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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.
WVU gets gifts to support education lab May 25, 2013 3:05 PM EDT About $500,000 in private gifts is helping to support science, technology, engineering and math education programs at West Virginia University.
Dan Matics
