Accomack County is working to save money, according to The Daily Times. Suggestions and efforts made by county employees are being considered to save money. These are savings that will be passed down to citizens.

"A committee of area businesspeople appointed to advise on how to improve its budget process will consider a short list of cost-savings suggestions out of dozens made by county employees last winter.

County staffer Dan Hillman will give a status report on the Employee Brainstorming Program to the Board of Supervisors today.

Among the suggestions is to consolidate voting precincts from 22 to 13, which would save the county over $82,000, Hillman said in a report.

Of that amount, $63,000 would be a one-time savings for the purchase of voting machines over what would be required without consolidation.

The county would save another $19,000 per year in recurring costs based on four elections per year.

Under the proposal, the combined precincts of Onancock and Onley would serve 2,623 registered voters, 61 fewer than Chincoteague, the largest precinct.

The report estimates 21 actions that are either already implemented or awaiting approval will mean $1.2 million more this year in the county coffers. Those include this year's tax increase of 7 cents for real estate and 42 cents for personal property, as well as more aggressive collection of delinquent taxes, increases in inspection and land use fees, a $228,000 one-time transfer from district drainage funds and a $270,000 reduction in funding to the school district, among others."

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