“It’s not going to be easy,” said commissioner Lee Dildy earlier this week during commissioners court as soon as the subject of Bastrop County’s 2010/11 budget process was raised. “There are going to have to be some substantial cuts made.”

Although it wasn’t discussed in great detail, Dildy’s sense of concern over the budget seemed to be shared with other commissioners on Monday as the county discussed preparations to finish the current year on track, as well as tackling next fiscal year’s budget, which begins Oct.1.

According to preliminary budget figures released this week, the requested Bastrop County budget for next fiscal year is currently totaling $32,112,717. Considering the total projected revenues for the coming fiscal year are estimated at $29,824,063, commissioners are expecting to make substantial cuts to requests.

Compounding such a reality is the fact the budget as proposed does not include any new positions or increases in wages, according to County Judge Ronnie McDonald and County Auditor Lisa Smith.

Included in that projected figure of $32.1 million are 18 requested new positions throughout the county that Smith says will not be approved. Ten of those requested positions are with the sheriff’s office and three with the Bastrop County Jail.

Like Dildy, Precinct 2 Commissioner Clara Beckett acknowledged tough decisions are on the horizon as the budget process gets under way, but stressed that tax increases were not the answer.

“With effort and pain we can get this down and not raise the tax rate,” Beckett said. “I’m not in favor of increasing the tax rate. People are struggling to pay their taxes and the last thing we need to do is raise the rate.”

Regarding the current fiscal year’s budget, the county is projecting $30,723,064 in revenue by the end of September, just short of the $30,888,573 in projected end of year expenditures. At present time, however, only $26,264,910 in revenue has actually been brought into the county, a development that means well over $1 million is expected to be allocated out of the county’s general fund budget to cover the shortfall.

Smith said the challenges posed by the current budget year have been compounded by a substantial shortfall in the anticipated revenue from the half cents sales tax, as well as other declining revenue from fees and fines.

Commissioners are scheduled to begin budget workshops next week.

In other business:

N The county heard a report from the planning and project management department outlining the grant application for approximately $1 million TIGER II funds that will be used towards the county’s Lifesaver-Low Water Crossing Repair Program. Under the program, 18 low water crossings in Bastrop County will potentially be targeted for repair.

N A revised list of locations for early voting in Bastrop County’s November general elections was presented from the elections administrator.

N An interlocal agreement between Bastrop County and others was approved concerning the use of the 800 Mhz radio system and the payment of fees for that usage.