ST. GEORGE — Citing the challenges inflation has brought to the county and its residents while also looking at a potential recession some parties say has already begun, the Washington County Commission passed a resolution on Tuesday outlining the ways it plans to tighten the budget while striving to maintain the level of services the county provides.

“Everything is good now, but we see storm clouds on the horizon,” Washington County Commission Chair Victor Iverson said.

Like those living in the county, Iverson said the county government was having to deal with the inflated costs of goods and services. He also noted the pressure inflation placed on county employees and the need to offer competitive wages.

Prior to the resolution’s being read and voted on, Iverson said the commission had met with the county’s other elected officials and department heads concerning ways to save money and cut back where possible.

“This is about putting our house in order,” he said.

According to the resolution that Iverson read, inflation in the United States has nearly quadrupled in the last two years, the annual inflation rate hit 9.1% in June, energy prices rose by 42% and food prices climbed over 10%. Each category is the highest it has been since the early 1980s.

The resolution also stated the U.S. economy shrank for the second straight quarter, “which some believe to be evidence that the country is in economic recession or will be soon,” Iverson read.

The resolution then outlined the following actions the county government is taking to maintain the level of service it provides to residents while also cutting back on its own costs.

• Maintain adequate monetary reserves.
• Analyze all expenditures and cut unnecessary costs.
• Forego projects that would increase debt.
• Support and maintain staff and employee levels to the extent possible in order to prevent an increase in economic hardship by any recession on county residents.
• Make sure county services are provided only as allowed under state law.
• Repair and maintain existing equipment for as long as possible in order to avoid unnecessary replacements.

Tuesday’s resolution is a starting point in the county government’s efforts to cut back on expenses, Commissioner Adam Snow said, adding that every elected official and employee was being asked to cut back where they could

Snow shared the example of an employee who found a way to save on the pens her department used by finding a cheaper supplier.

“It may not seem like much, but lots of small amounts can add up to lots of money,” Snow said.

While talk of staying competitive with county employee wages was addressed, Iverson and other commissioners said it would be done without raising taxes. As mentioned in the resolution, the commission does not want to add to the pressure county residents already face due to inflation.

The county will be looking at raising county wages, and while that is easy to say, Snow said the process of getting there is a little more complicated and had not been finalized.

Another way county departments may be able to cut cost is by not back-filling certain positions if an employee retires or finds a new job. If a department is able to maintain the same level of service without that extra body, then that is what that department will do, Commissioner Gil Almquist said.

“We’re cutting where we can,” he said.

While all departments and offices will be subject to budget tightening and cuts, the commissioners said areas that absolutely had to maintain their level of service were the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the county’s search and rescue team.

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