Facing a massive $3.5 million shortfall in revenue, the Leavenworth County Commissioners have made drastic cuts in the 2010 budget and are looking at a 1 mill increase.

While the commissioners agreed to give county employees a 2-percent cost of living increase, they will be eliminating yearly longevity bonuses.

The county will also be eliminating the payment of any accrued sick leave upon retirement and its shared leave policy.

Facing a 20-percent increase in the county’s health insurance policy, the commissioners have agreed to absorb 10 percent of the cost and changed the current plan to pay the difference by increasing deductibles.

Heather Morgan, Leavenworth County administrator, said the increase to the mill is a result of having to fund a new $1.5 million EMS station. Morgan said the project is not being bonded to save on financing cost.

For more information, see next week’s issue of The Mirror.