County considering cutting off services to junior taxing districts

To reduce costs from Whitman County’s general operating budget, commissioners are considering eliminating its long-standing administration of junior taxing districts.

In a 2010 budget session Tuesday morning, Commissioner Pat O’Neill asked Auditor Eunice Coker to research the potential savings the county could receive from cutting off the county’s fire, cemetery and park and recreation districts.

The county currently oversees payroll services and keeps the books for those taxing districts without charge.

O’Neill said the county’s budget crunch means it may no longer be able to afford to offer...