Oconee’s budget burden lightens

“This has slipped way beyond where we thought it would.”  That is part of the explanation that the Tri-County Tech president gave Oconee officials to describe the status of its timetable for the next major building at the college’s main campus.  During a budget request meeting, Tech’s Dr. Ronnie Booth told the Oconee County Council it won’t require a $446 thousand dollar bond payment toward Oconee’s share of a new student center for the time being.  Funding for the building project has been drawn into question by a Pickens County Council decision not to fund that county’s share of the costs during the budget year starting July 1.  Booth said Oconee leaders have been gracious in their consideration of the project, but he is aware of Oconee’s tight budget numbers.  Once Booth presented his college’s general budget request, Oconee councilmen re-convened a budget meeting to consider whether the county will have to resort to a tax increase to balance its proposed budget.