The Centre County Board of Commissioners eliminated another position yesterday, and said budget problems will probably continue unless the state Legislature gives them the authority to levy an income tax.

The board voted to eliminate Tiffany Bierly's caseworker position in the Human Services Planning Office. Bierly's position was eliminated, but she will now work as an adult services caseworker for the county, board Chairwoman Vicki Wedler said. The adult services position was vacant because of a hiring freeze, she added.

The latest cut brings the number of positions eliminated by the board to 18 since Oct. 9, with about a $300,000 savings, said Larry Bickford, director of administrative services, adding the county faces a $2 million budget shortfall primarily because of decreased state and federal funding.

The elimination of the caseworker position will save the county $20,000 in salary and benefits, Wedler said, adding that this is the last position the board will eliminate.

The state and federal governments have cut aid to counties to deal with their own budget deficits, but are not helping the counties maintain offered services, Wedler said.

"They have passed these cuts on to the county, and while the county continues to be mandated to provide the services, more funding is not coming with that," Wedler said, adding that the county is only allowed to use real estate taxes or an occupation tax to collect revenue.

Centre County's real estate tax is the maximum allowed by the state.

The county should be allowed to levy an income tax, which would solve the current funding problem, Wedler said, adding that she hopes the state Legislature allows counties to tax income.

"One half of 1 percent earned income (tax) would replace the need for us to use real estate (tax) and would give us $2 million more than what we're able to collect right now," she said.

The board will look at other ways to increase revenue, such as serving more warrants to people with outstanding parking tickets or fines, Wedler said.

Wedler also said she doubts county employees will receive cost of living adjustments in their salaries, but added that merit increases may be considered.