The commissioners also voted earlier this year to increase the amount county employees pay for their health insurance from 10 to 20 percent, raising an additional $75,000 for the general fund budget.
Hess said the decision was not easy, and county officials will consider other options to provide funding for economic development.
“This is a short-term fix to a long-term problem,” Hess said.
Commissioner Bob Corbett said for now, the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce will be asked to assist with economic development.
The decision eliminated the position of economic development officer, held by Mike Morris.
Morris said he understands the commissioners were in a difficult position because of the deficit, but said most other counties in the region are either maintaining or increasing funding for economic development.
Morris said initially, his position was created to coordinate economic development efforts between local municipalities and organizations, but those entities were reluctant to do so.
“After three years of trying, the various entities in Champaign County have shown they don’t truly want to work together,” Morris said.
• In other action, the commissioners voted Tuesday that employees in the Champaign County Department of Job and Family Services must pay the same amount of their health insurance costs as other county employees. Susan Bailey, director of the Champaign County DJFS, had previously requested that her employees be allowed to continue paying 10 percent. She noted that her employees are paid through state and federal funds, and increasing their health insurance fees would not benefit the county general budget fund.
The commissioners considered the request but decided all county employees should pay the same rate.
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