NORWICH – Chenango County supervisors took a first crack at cutting back on next year’s estimated budget for social services during a meeting of the Finance Committee Sept. 8.

Just a week prior, Department of Social Services Commissioner Bette Osborne had estimated a $25.8 million budget for 2011, including the county’s home for adults, Preston Manor. After state and federal reimbursements are received for some programs and administration, the local taxpayer share of the department’s total appropriation would amount to $12,317,000, up 12.4 percent from last year.

And, as Osborne had predicted, she originally budgeted the cost for retirement fringe low. Based on recent figures released by the state comptroller’s office, Deputy County Treasurer/Budget Officer Ardean Young said the department’s retirement budget for 2011 would be up 37.7 percent over 2010’s payout, not the 29 percent previously estimated.

Worker salaries increased 3.5 and 3.6 percent. Youngs said most of Chenango County’s government employees will see an increase in retirement fringe of 11.2 to 15.6 percent of their salaries.

Cuts made to the overall budget were admittedly minimal. Lawmakers successfully pared back $20,000 on a new water filtration system for Preston Manor, instead electing to spread out the amount on the levy over multiple years. They also eliminated a $10,000 in-school counseling program.

“Ten thousand dollars is $10,000,” said Dennis Brown, vice chairman of the Finance Committee, referring to the school program.