The Butler County commissioners might make some cuts to the 2008 county budget, including an across-the-board 1 percent decrease in operating expenses, based on a report prepared by an advisory committee.

Former county commissioner Bill McCarrier, committee chairman, presented the report Wednesday to the commissioners, saying the proposed recommendations aren't sufficient to offset a 2.5-mill tax hike in the $185.3 million budget.

He said time constraints prevented the committee from proposing enough cuts to reduce the tax hike, which will cost the average county homeowner $37.50 more a year in property taxes.

McCarrier also cited rising costs and numerous state and federal mandates that make it unrealistic to say there never will be tax increases.

"This is contrary to common sense," he said.

McCarrier said only $51 million of the $185 million budget is controlled by the county. The rest of the budget is for mandated programs.

Also, about 80 percent of the county's general fund departmental budgets is set by union contracts.

Dale Pinkerton, chairman of the commissioners, agreed there was no way to avoid the tax hike, which pushes the county tax rate to 30 mills.

"That increase will have to stay," he said.

However, McCarrier said making cuts now would increase budgetary reserves that have been depleted in recent years.

Pinkerton supported the countywide 1 percent reduction, saying the move will save the county $120,000.

Along with the 1 percent reduction across county government, the committee recommends eliminating benefits for outside solicitors who represent various county offices and limiting donations to nonprofit organizations.

The report suggests that the county fund only a third of the original list of about 30 donation requests.

Along with Butler County Community College and the Federated Library system, the approved list includes the Airport Authority, the Flood Control Authority, the Community Development Corporation of Butler County and the Farmland Preservation Program.

Advisory committee member Bill Patterson, a former county chief clerk, said the groups recommended for funding are ones deemed to have a countywide impact.

Pinkerton said each of the organizations will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine if each will receive county funding this year.

County Controller Jack McMillin advised the commissioners to examine the "true needs" of the college.

He said 30 percent of BC3 students come from outside the county.

"Is the county subsidizing the operations to benefit the students in other counties?" he asked.

Pinkerton said the college's finances are being reviewed.

Commissioner Jim Lokhaiser supported cutting benefits to nonemployee solicitors.

"How can you pay someone benefits who is not a full-time employee," he said.

Commissioner James Kennedy said the county would benefit from some of the suggested cuts being made before the budget is closed Feb. 13.

The report also has long-term recommendations, such as having employees pay part of their health care and pension costs. That would be implemented in 2009 or later.

McCarrier said another recommendation is to increase the property assessment rate from 75 percent to 100 percent of 1969 values.

Under the current 75 percent assessment, the county gets only 3/10 of 1 percent of the value of new construction.

The report also suggested commissioners initiate an analysis of Sunnyview Home, which would include either continuing or eliminating support of the nursing home/rehabilitation center.

Jim Eckstein, a former candidate for county commissioner, criticized the commissioners for adding a secretary to their office while trying to cut costs.

Sheri Morgan, who had been administrative assistant for former commissioner Glenn Anderson, was appointed earlier this month to fill a vacant secretarial post.

After the meeting, Pinkerton said Morgan will help solicitor Julie Graham, who is overloaded with work.

He defended the appointment, saying the commissioners' office had more posts in the past, including a financial director and a second solicitor.