Local organizations requesting more funding from Worcester County budget
WORCESTER COUNTY, Md. – For the next couple of months, Worcester County Commissioners will have their hands full as they look to put the finishing touches together for their 2020 fiscal year budget. A challenge they’re ready to tackle even as numerous organizations in the area are ask for more funding.
“The way that times are right now everybody’s looking for or fighting for the same dollar unfortunately,” said representative for the Worcester County Fire Chiefs and Worcester County Fire Service Tim Jerscheid.
At Tuesday’s budget meeting, local fire officials pleaded with commissioners to increase their funding by nearly 10%. That money, they say would help continue to ensure EMS services are provided for families.
“That is right now where we are probably if lacking anywhere where we need a little bit more assistance in paying for personnel. It’s kind of dwindling down just because of the demand is two or three jobs for a household and such like that so we’re relying a little bit more upon having to hire paid personnel,” said Jerscheid.
Other critical programs in the area are also looking for more funding. Executive Director of the Worcester County Developmental Center says the demand for his services has grown. And the organizations need the money, to keep up.
“We are growing considerably we’ve doubled our staff we’ve almost doubled our client below to there is a need out there to provide these kinds of services,” said Ferry.
Worcester County Commissioners we spoke with tell us they’re taking each and every funding request into careful consideration. And they’ll do the best to make sure everyone is taken care of.
“The county does assist us with some of that financial need when it comes to that but like anything else the more the merrier,” said Jerscheid.
Worcester County officials say that the next work session for the budget will take place on Tuesday, May 14th. They add that they’re expected to adopt the budget sometime in June.
