ALFRED — Declining revenues, increasing insurance costs and a desire to keep county tax assessments to municipalities at the same level could mean the elimination of five county positions ”“ though that could change if union workers agree to pick up a portion of their health insurance costs or the county budget committee votes to make changes to the budget proposal.

York County Commissioners Wednesday signed off on a proposed 2012 county budget of $18.16 million, down $196,500 from the current year. Under the proposal, $15.92 million, the same as this year, would be assessed to the county’s 29 municipalities.

The next step is a review by the York County Budget Committee, which has the final authority to approve the county’s annual spending plan. Commissioners are expected to forward the budget to that committee by the Nov. 1 deadline.

As currently configured, the budget proposal would mean laying off one employee in the Registry of Deeds, two support staffers in the York County District Attorney’s Office, and two employees in the rural patrol division of the York County Sheriff’s Office ”“ including a domestic violence investigator.

“Commissioners struggled with this. They don’t want to see anyone lose their job,” said County Manager Greg Zinser. “It’s the reality of the situation.”

Expenses are increasing ”“ particularly for insurance ”“ and revenues are decreasing. Revenues from the Registry of Deeds are projected to be $165,000 less in 2012 than this year.

The proposed layoffs may be averted under a proposal that would see unionized workers contribute 15 percent to the cost of their health insurance premiums. Currently 100 percent is paid by the county ”“ though workers do contribute 50 percent toward coverage for their families.

Medical insurance costs for the county will increase more than $400,000. Half of that amount is attributed to York County Jail and falls within the annual $8.667 million cap the county pays for jail operations under state consolidation, leaving about $218,000 in medical insurance increases to the county budget ”“ and there are hikes in other insurance too, said Zinser.

One union, the National Correctional Employees Union that represents jail staff, has already agreed to the 15 percent contribution. Contracts with the Maine State Employees Association that represents clerical and custodial staff, and the County Patrol Association that represents sheriffs’ department deputies, remain unsettled.

“A lot of this depends on the unions,” said Commission Chairwoman Sallie Chandler. “I’m hoping we can come to some sort of resolution that does not cost people their jobs. But you can’t have people work if you don’t have the money to pay them.”

The budget for 2012 was prepared, Zinser noted, under today’s contract scenario that does not include an employee contribution toward employee health insurance because that matter has not been settled. He described the county budget preparation and the union negotiations all happening at once as unfortunate timing ”“ county budget timing is spelled out in state law.

Zinser said the layoffs depend on how the contracts work out.

“Most of, if not all, (layoffs) may be mitigated,” Zinser said.

York County Sheriff Maurice Ouellette told commissioners a week ago that he is going to lose a domestic violence investigator ”“ there are currently two ”“ Dec. 31 because federal funding will run out, but Commissioner Gary Sinden pointed out that under the commissioner’s policies, when grant funding ends “the position ends.”

Ouellette pointed out that deputies responded to 25,000 calls for service last year.

“If we can be creative and work through this I think we owe it to the people of York County to give them the service we’ve been giving,” he said. “We’re just trying to keep our head above water.”

“We’ll do what we have to do,” said York County District Attorney Kathryn Slattery, if her office has to cut two positions. In Maine, the state pays salaries of the district attorney and assistant prosecutors, while counties pick up the tab for clerical support staff, supplies, witness fees and other costs. Currently staffed with 19 positions, the District Attorney’s office could lose two positions.

“We’re the busiest criminal court in the state,” said Slattery.

County commissioners had been in line for a 2 percent increase in their stipends, but agreed Wednesday to forego the increase.

Chandler said the county must look at other ways to increase revenues without taxing municipalities more.

She noted that the county budget has been flat-funded for at least three years.

“There are no real sources of revenue out there and the towns and cities are having the same problem we’re having,” she said.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 or twells@journaltribune.com.