Officials in Belmont County are preparing to wrap up a series of hearings for the county's 2010 budget, one that must be trimmed by more than $3 million.

Belmont County Commissioners told elected officials and county department heads last month that the 2010 county budget will require significant cuts in light of the struggling economy. With sales tax revenues on a steady decline and deep budget cuts coming down from the state of Ohio, Belmont County is expected to reduce its general fund in 2010 to around $16.4 million.

In January, the county's anticipated general fund revenues for this year was about $21 million. However, actual revenues for the year appear to be closer to $16.4 million.

Earlier this year, the county leaders had to dip into an infrastructure fund and use a few million dollars from that account to get through this year in the black.

To facilitate the budget reduction eyed for 2010, commissioners have been meeting individually with heads of each county department over the past few weeks to explore ways to cut costs and spending in each department.

Officials have said they hoped each department could reduce annual expenses by between 20-25 percent for next year.

"We've met with 22 departments already," said Commissioner Matt Coffland, who added the department heads and elected officials have been receptive to the request to participate in the budget hearings. "They've been very pleased to come in and be part of the process. We thank them for working with us."

The series of budget hearings is expected to conclude early next week. On Tuesday, commissioners will meet with the board of elections. Commissioners also plan to meet with representatives of the county unions next week.

"There have been very good discussions and a lot of good ideas presented," said Commissioner Chuck Probst said. "Going in to these discussions with each elected official, we had asked them to review budget figures they initially submitted in July."

Originally, county officials had requested a total of more than $21 million in requests for expenditures for the coming fiscal year. That requested amount already reflected a $3.8 million decrease from requests submitted during the previous year.

County leaders have been discussing ways to trim each department's budget to fit into the reduced county budget for 2010. Commissioners have stressed the county must live within its means in the face of tough economic times.

"In the past when interest rates were down, our sales tax revenues always picked up the difference," Probst said. "We can't rely on that now. It's just not there."

Commissioners expressed confidence that the trimmed 2010 budget will work with minimal disruption to public services.

"With everyone working together, we'll be able to get through these tough times, Coffland said. "I believe things will turn around. We've just all got to hang on for the ride."

In other action, the board voted to reschedule the commissioners' evening meeting of Nov. 25 to a day meeting on Nov. 24, beginning at 10 a.m., because of the Thanksgiving holiday that week.

The board also approved a request from Mark Esposito, director of the Belmont County Sanitary Sewer District, to advertise for bids for two four-wheel-drive pickup trucks. These vehicles will replace two old vehicles which will be taken out of service.

Commissioners are expected to attend a ribbon cutting ceremony this Monday at 11 a.m. on Mount Victory Road near Jacobsburg. The ribbon cutting will be for the Mount. Victory Road waterline project.

The water project has been in the works for more than 20 years, officials noted. It recently received funding for its installation and is moving forward.

Residents along Mount Victory road have relied on residential wells as their primary water source.

Most of these wells are contaminated or are depleted during dry weather conditions. Many of the residents of this area have hauled drinking water to their homes for many years.

Nearly 10 miles of 8-inch waterlines will be installed to supply residents along Mount Victory Road with county water.

The main line will also serve as a backup water source for York Township and the village of Powhatan Point.