December 27th, 2024 by WCBC Radio

The budget crisis at Allegany County government has grown since the beginning of the fiscal year, currently running a deficit of over $3 million dollars.  A large chunk of that deficit has been in overtime for emergency services.  Interim Emergency Services Director Roger Bennett said personnel laid off earlier in the year are back at work as floaters, cutting the extreme overtime costs. County Administrator Jason Bennett also said that at least one rescue squad does not need county help now…

“For the record, we did pull crews out of LaVale. It’s because of a good thing. It’s because LaVale Rescue was able to staff on their own with their people. They said they could do it. We want to let them do it. So we basically got out of the way. That gives them some flexibility. That’s an entire crew to free back up.”