Penny pinching pays

By: By Editorial Board | Mooresville Tribune
Published: May 16, 2009

Iredell County officials have taken no particular pleasure in the budget cuts and staffing reductions mandated by the souring economy and dwindling revenues. We're sure it's been a painful, depressing process.

The decision to make cuts at the county library — in both staffing and hours of operation — were made when it appeared the county was facing a $2 million budget shortfall. Given the bleak outlook, it was hard to find fault with that move.

But county officials announced this week that efforts to control spending across all departments had proven successful enough that the library would not have to scale back its hours and lay off its part-time workers.

That's great news for library users and the 16 staffers whose jobs were set to be eliminated June 1.

The timing for the cuts came at a time when demand for library services has increased significantly as the cash-strapped masses look for cheaper forms of entertainment.

So if you enjoy taking the family to the library on Sundays or perusing the stacks after 8 p.m. during the week, you'll still be able to do so in the foreseeable future.

Think of it as a gift from the county commissioners, department heads and workers who have spent the past six months watching every penny.