It's a tough position for Alachua County Commissioners to be in more money will be in the bank because of changes to the state mandated employee retirement system, but all employees are facing, in essence, a three percent pay cut.
Commissioners Rodney Long and Paula Delaney supported giving as much as two percent of that money back to employees.
Lee Pinkoson and Susan Baird would prefer the money be used to fund operational costs, as a way to keep property taxes steady.
Mike Byerly wants a plan that's similar to this year's fiscal plan.
Meanwhile, Sheriff Sadie Darnell has presented her plan for the next budget year at last night's commission meeting and billed it as a compromise.
Darnell would like 65 million dollars, as recommended by the county manager and a 2 percent salary increase per employee to offset the 3 percent state mandated cut.
She wants additional money to add positions to the jail.
Alachua County communications coordinator Mark Sexton says it's still too early in the budget process to predict what commissioners will decide.
Meetings to work out the details of the 2012 fiscal year budget will take place throughout the month of August.
The public is welcome to weigh in on the plan before it is finalized during two meetings in September.