The Cambria County commissioners are trying a new way of balancing next year's budget by using what's called a "zero-based budget."


By using this type of budget, commissioners won't be looking at a certain spending level. Instead, they will be looking at the beginning, starting at zero.


"And you're going to say, 'What are the things we need to do?' and you build from there. So, you're taking a harder look at everything that is going on and how you do it," Commissioner Doug Legenfelder said.


Legenfelder said the budget will help save the county money. When it comes to next year's budget, Legenfelder said crunching numbers early is important.

"It will take around six months in preparing that budget. (A) zero-based budget is very timely, but it's a way we think we will be able to save some dollars for the county," he said.

Legenfelder said he believes businesses create jobs, not the government, and the zero-based budget that commissioners will be working on will benefit local business.

To get where they want to be, Legenfelder admits it isn't going to be easy, but they want to be smarter in their decision making.

To hear more about the zero-based budget, the commissioners will conduct a meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday at Richland High School. Several local businesses will also be there.

Commissioners will also announce the hiring of part-time budget director Bill Stasko at the meeting. Stasko is a certified public accountant and will help aid in this new way of handling the budget.

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