Loss of federal funds trouble western Montana counties

Mineral County has a road department of four, a population of 4,200 and a budget just north of $4 million.

When it faces a hit of $750,000 pending action from a fickle Congress, questions arise that have no good answers.

"People say cut, but I don’t know where," Commissioner Roman Zylawy said last week. "How do you make up $750,000 with cuts?"

Just as perplexing: How do you dig out by taxing a conservative, sparsely populated county that elects its officials on the premise that they won’t?

By KIM BRIGGEMAN

Full Story: http://helenair.com/news/state-and-regional/loss-of-federal-funds-trouble-western-montana-counties/article_fab13e7c-e42e-56a8-ae43-cf4277068c04.html