MONTICELLO – Sullivan County Manager David Fanslau’s proposed $191.1 million budget for 2010 includes a five percent property tax increase and the elimination of 49 occupied positions and 54 vacant ones.

That would save the county $2.6 million.

County Legislature Chairman Jonathan Rouis said the tentative spending plan is impacted by the state of the economy.

 “It really shows where we are as far as the county in these economic times with our declining revenues and our increasing costs. It’s going to be a very difficult process to go through, but we embrace it and we are looking forward to coming out the other site.”

Rouis said he is also willing to sit down with the unions about possible givebacks.

Fanslau suggested union givebacks to save money and jobs.

They would include requiring all employees to contribute 15 percent of their health premiums; change the 14 paid holidays to 13 full days and two half days; and provide 8 ½ paid holidays and 5 ½ unpaid holidays.

But, Adrian Huff, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 445, which represents 650 county employees, said Monday they will stand by their current contract.

“The union’s position is that we have negotiated a contract a year ago and we are sticking to what we have; we’re not going to go back. Any changes that are made to the contract need to be voted on by the membership.”

The CSEA represents about 110 employees and spokeswoman Jessica Ladlee said they won’t consider it.  The CSEA workers are employed at the county jail and she said they have been working without a contract for two years.

“They are grossly under paid. They are being mandated two to three days a week on average. Givebacks at this point just aren’t an option and we are not reopening any contracts,” she said.

As a means to streamline county government, reduce and realign its workforce, Fanslau is recommending consolidation of GIS activities in the Real Property Tax Department; consolidation of Risk Management and Insurance departments with the Office of Personnel; and Civil Service into a Department of Human Resource; the absorption of the responsibilities of the Department of Family Services Legal Department into the County Attorney’s Office; and moving the responsibilities of the youth Services Department into the Department of Family Services.