The Citrus County Commission on Tuesday looked at the financial lay of the land, trying to find ways to keep the costs of county government down as they try to hammer out a budget.

Items under review ran the gamut of county government, to include county employees' merit pay and health care costs and a wide range of other areas where there might be cost savings.

A chart guided commissioners throughout the meeting, showing revenues and expenditures. Revenues total $7,442,777 and expenditures total $6,084,000.

Under revenues, listed items and amounts were:

• Ad valorem tax: $6,532,467
• Sales tax: $639,758
• State revenue sharing: $270,554

Under expenditures, listed items and amounts were:

• Reorganization: $1 million
• CIP: $1,145,000
• Fund balance reserve: $1 million
• Fleet vehicle trust: $1,859,000
• CCA: $1,070,000

Commissioners Gary Bartell and Winn Webb touted the benefit of the zero-based budgeting model currently used by the county to realize the best management of taxpayer dollars. Savings realized will brought into clearer focus once the county reorganizes county government itself.

County staff also reviewed privatization for the commission to include corrections, aquatics and harvesting, lawn and janitorial services, solid waste management and more. The total for all services amounts to $20,612,967. Commissioner Gary Bartell suggested that private contractors providing services to the county consider reductions themselves.

Part of the contractor reductions could be part of any contract renewal negotiation, or new services provided to the county. That would help the county shave off total contract costs that would return to the county, Bartell said. "It's the old saying, what's good for the goose is good for the gander," he said.

Interim County Administrator Eber Brown suggested commissioners "put pen to paper" and come up with their thoughts and direction concerning the budget, rather than "the generalities you gave this morning." Commissioners agreed to do that.

Representatives of the Citrus County Council spoke to the commission during public comment. The organization asked the commission to forego the creation of new MTSUs, and instead concentrate on balancing the budget. As part of that, representatives also urged the continuation of zero-based budgeting model the county currently uses.

Fred Clark once again asked the county to consider helping fund efforts for the at-risk, low-income children in Citrus and four other counties. He had asked the commission last year for assistance, as well.

Dixie Hollins, chairman of the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce, said the organization supported county's efforts to keep small businesses going.

Plea for specifics