The Morton County Commission cinched its budget belt a little tighter, leading to some grumbling by department heads at Tuesday's meeting.

Commissioners cut the out-of-state travel budget, saving about $33,000, and another $75,000 was cut from the roads department. The commission managed to cut 2.78 mills from its budget, collecting 170.8 mills with the value of a mill approximately $54,000. The total county budget for 2006 is $19,290,382. The county tax collections, due to the increased property values, will see an overall increase of $389,387.

The commission did include a 3 percent pay raise for employees while freezing their own salary package at $125,500.

Most department heads, gathered at the morning meeting, hadn't seen what cuts had been made by commissioners to their proposals as the commission prepared to finalize the budget for 2006. Commissioners gave the departments through the noon hour to review the budgets. Later, the commission made no changes to the budget, which it finalized.

Superintendent of Schools Karen Kautzman had asked for $2,000 for her contingency fund from which she paid for MathCounts and spelling bee trophies and awards. Commissioners cut that to $1,000, and Kautzman asked that at least $500 be put back. The department's in-state travel also was cut from $800 to $400, and the membership registration and dues budget was cut from $1,400 to $1,200.

The Social Services in-state travel was cut $5,000, which concerned Director Ken Gerhardt, in light of mileage reimbursements that have risen 21 percent the last year. Gerhardt said the department could give up $2,000, but asked the commission to put the rest back.

Two areas, general assistance in-kind and general assistance medical were cut from $4,000 to $500, and Gerhardt suggested both be restored to $2,000 and also asked that membership registrations be cut only $500 rather than $1,000. Commissioners praised Gerhardt's work, noting Social Services had turned back about 9 percent of its budget last year and should be able to manage the cuts.

The road department suffered two big cuts as $25,000 was cut from part-time help and $50,000 from its sand budget. Superintendent Chuck Morman didn't dispute the cuts, pointing out these budgets are dependent on the weather.

If Morton faces a tough winter, the funds will probably have to be restored, likely taken from other budgets. What could be impacted are the six federal aid projects for 2006, for which the county will have to come up with $1.5 million to $3 million in matching funds. The problem, Morman concluded, is the commission will have to make a decision on the projects by mid-December, with a lot of winter remaining.

"Of all the budgets, yours is the riskiest," commission Chairman Jim Boehm said.

"Budgets are just a guideline, you know," auditor Paul Trauger told the commission.

Commissioner Mark Bitz noted that the Social Services department requested $2.2 million for 2006 and the commission cut $19,500.

"Last year Social Services had over $190,000 it didn't spend, and we're cutting $19,500," Bitz said.

Commissioners also noted that, while they were cutting out-of-state travel funds entirely, departments could still attend but they would have to find the funds within their existing budget or pay for it out of their own pockets. They would also have to come before the commission to justify the travel.

Bitz also asked to cut the Historical Society's budget from $14,500 to $10,000, but that was resisted by the rest of the commission, particularly portfolio holder Matt Erhardt.

"We have had some issues this year," said Commissioner Bob Christensen. "Money is tighter and we can't afford to raise taxes. If the budget works, that's awesome, but if it doesn't, we will have to work on changes next year."

Christensen said the commission should start looking at streamlining services and consolidation of services in the coming year.

"We cut out all the frills," Commissioner Dick Tokach said. "Some people felt there weren't any, but we realized there were some places where the budget was padded a little bit. I think people (residents) wanted cuts made; our whole budget philosophy was based on that. I hope it doesn't come back to bite us next year.