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budget three times, and the Federal Revenue sharing Fund was cut back over $118,000; the General Services fund was reduced by $161,000, and the Municipal Services fund was reduced by $366,000, or a total cutback of over $500,000. Finance Officer Barton then explained what has happened in regard to Workmen's Compensation and medical insurance, etc., which is part of the fringe benefit package that most job places offer their employees, noting that the State increased the mandatory pay -in to the State Retirement Fund by 20%. The Health Care package increased 50%, and we still are negotiating and trying to cut this down. Workmen's Compensation is a percentage of payroll, and our accident rate went higher than it should, so we are paying 173% of standard rates. We, therefore, are budgeting for a saftey supervisor to train workers. Commissioner Scurlock questioned the $20,000 budgeted for legal expense since we are in the process of adding our own legal staff instead of contracting for legal services as we do presently. It was explained that this relates to the five lawsuits in which we are presently involved and have hired outside legal counsel to represent us. Commissioner Scurlock explained to the public that that 9.5% salary increase given County personnel to try to keep up with cost of living increases was based on increases around our general area. An old gentleman in the audience commented that when politicians don't want to do anything, they invent something to confuse the people - let's get rid of the politicians. Another gentleman commented that you can make figures say anything you want to, and he did not believe what was being said about reductions. They cut back but then they reassess and raise values. Commissioner Bird felt the longer we are here and throw figures around, the more confused people become. He believed from what he has heard that a big part of the OCT P_ 91991 9 BOOK 47 PAGE862