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In presenting the 2012 4th quarter financial report Sedwick County's chief financial officer, Chris Chronis noted that rather than seeing a 16.3 million dollar deficit in 2012. as was projected by staff in February of 2011, the county had realized a one-point-two million dollar surplus in it's property tax supported funds.
Chronis credited the turnaround to tough decisions made by county commissioners and "extremely hard work" by county employees. Much of the savings came through reducing the county workforce by more than 10%, from 3,049 in 2011 to 2,797 as of the latest pay period.
Chronis told commissioners they could expect county finances to remain in the black through 2013. But, he also cautioned that more work remains to be done to stay in the black as revenue streams remain much lower than years past.
Chronis warned that actions by the state legislature on the budget and other legislation may well mean less money from the state level while more services are mandated. He also expressed concern about the economic impact of Boeing closing their plant, leaving some 2,000 people without jobs, and the reduction of the workforce of Hawker-Beechcraft as the company emerges from bankruptcy proceedings.
County staff will provide detailed projections and recommend solutions at the commissioners annual retreat next week on February 12th.