The tight 2010 budget being prepared by the Schuylkill County Commissioners took its first personal toll when the position of Human Resource Director was abolished and S. Thomas White, of Reading, who held the post since 2002 was released.

Finance Director Mark Stabinsky said it is part of the consolidation plan as the work will be distributed amont other departments. Paul Straka, who is preparing the new budget, said it will include many expenditure reductions, including capital improvements such as purchassing new computers or other equipment. Also affected will be conference travels.When White, who has been attending the county commissioners's public meetings to report on personal matters, made his usual report, there was no indication it would be his last. His final day was Thursday.Future consolidations were not revealed. The finance officer's only comment was that drastic expenditure cuts are being made to come up with a balanced budget.