Carroll County Council has been meeting feverishly to make the drastic 2008 budget reductions necessary to stem the flow of more money appropriated than income expected. Struggling to formulate the spending plan that will serve the county, albeit with fewer services and fewer employees, council members also understand that state-mandated financial variables loom in the future for the county.

Council members realized months ago a bank loan would be inevitable to help them through short-term cash flow issues if they chose to not deplete what funds remain in the coffers.

The council then decided it was time to hire a professional CPA firm to guide them as they complete the long and arduous task of reducing the 2008 budget by $1.8 million and at the same time be prepared for the future.

They consulted Lafayette Bank and Trust because the bulk of county money is secured in that institution. Bank vice president and Carroll County native Jay Bush advised it was prudent to secure a firm that provides services primarily to municipalities. Bush recommended the council hear a presentation from H.J. Umbaugh and Associates from Indianapolis to help them understand what services were available, necessary and helpful to the county in the coming months. Bush said Umbaugh would not only assist with a bank loan but could also help steer the council through what could be a rocky fiscal road in the next few years.

According to council president Nancy S. Cripe, Umbaugh will do a preliminary analysis of the county financial situation within 30 days. They will recommend a plan of action no later than March 31.

"We needed professional advice and a professional plan to present to the bank for a loan," Cripe said. "We need the expertise of a firm that specializes in government entities."

Bush agreed with Cripe. LB&T formally recommended Umbaugh so the county would not "find itself in a similar situation in the future." He said that his bank has worked with Umbaugh and had a high degree of confidence to make the recommendation.

"I think it's a step in the right direction for the county," he said. "Umbaugh and Associates can help them with borrowing situations."

Bush, who graduated from Carroll High School and then Purdue, said it was unrealistic to expect council members to know everything there is about their job. He said people in business use consultants for guidance frequently. He said the CPA firm has connections to the Indiana General Assembly and is knowledgeable about what directives and changes would be coming from the state as soon as those facts are able to be known.

"It's going to be a savings for taxpayers in the long run," Cripe said. "We need solid advice we can depend upon."

"We've learned a great deal in the past year," she added. "We would be negligent if we didn't act prudently to get going in the right direction now. This is serious business and we have to get it right."

Council will meet March 17 at 1:30 p.m. to possibly finalize spending reductions and adopt the revised 2008 budget. They will meet again March 31 to hear the report from Umbaugh and Associates and to discuss and possibly vote on an Economic Development Income Tax increase.