County Judge Chris Davis and the Cherokee County Commissioners are looking at all the same expenses every county court faces.
 

Police officers retire, want a raise, need new cars. The price of asphalt for road repair is up. Worker’s comp costs are a burden. medical, gasoline, everything down to pencils in the courthouse all are going up.
usually, when budgets are cut, it is to meet lower revenue projections. or even worse, even with the slimmer budget, taxes still have to go up.
 

Just ask TJC or Smith County.
 

So how can the Cherokee County Court actually cut costs quarter of a million dollars, and lower the tax rate by a penny?
 

The answers are wonderfully simple according to County Judge Chris Davis.
 

“I’m proud of Texas and how we’ve been able to hold our own in these difficult times. Watching the world news at night and you see…I think we have fared a little better,” Davis said. “I think it goes back to we know how to tighten our belts here in East Texas and batten down and make it on what we can. If you can’t afford it, don’t get it.”
 

Now, the Cherokee County budget is finished, but they will have a couple of public hearings.
And Judge Davis tells us it looks like they’re on target for a decent 2011 for employees…and a downright great one for taxpayers.