With 2020 nearing the midway point of the calendar year, talks of the 2021 Steuben County Budget are already deep in discussions. While the process is in somewhat of its early stages, one major challenge for 2021 is the calendar itself.

With the 2021 calendar, instead of a normal 26-pay period, bi-weekly pay structure a 27th pay cycle is set to occur and at no small price. With that extra pay cycle, the county is forced to find a way to allocate the funds necessary to cover the cost of all county employees which is estimated at over $400,000.

Linda Hansen from the Steuben County Council broke it down to one simple statement saying, "When we get into budgets, it all comes down to how much money we have available to us."

The council adjourned in agreement that making sure funds for the 27th pay cycle in 2021 are appropriately allocated for.