Revenue shortfalls have led to rounds of layoffs for Tooele County employees, and county leaders' actions are falling into question.
The county's financial issues started when the last weapon was destroyed at Deseret Chemical Depot in January and, subsequently, federal money stopped coming in. The county now has $23 million to work with for 2013 compared with $27 million in 2012 — a $4 million shortfall.
County layoffs began in August, when 22 county employees were let go.
Then in September, county commissioners asked department heads to cut at least 15 percent from their budgets. The cuts resulted in 22 more layoffs.
Some former employees have voluntarily retired and saw the county's revenue decrease coming years ago, and the commissioners had taken no action to increase revenue.
County commissioners say they chose those cuts over a tax increase. In fact, the county hasn't raised taxes since 1987. Deseret News
