A new committee will prescribe ways to overcome a projected county budget shortfall resulting from the state’s budget-balancing effort.

The Freeborn County Board decided to form the special committee and appointed Commissioner Dan Springborg as the chairman and Dan Belshan as the vice-chairman. Two department heads, four employee representatives and four citizen members will be assigned.

The county may lose $800,000 from its first payment of state aid in June, according to County Administrator Ron Gabrielsen. Besides, state funds for various programs the county carries out are to be slashed. The committee will compile its recommendation by the end of March.

Gabrielsen explained the purpose of the committee is to identify the areas where the county can reduce expenses and increase revenues. The members are expected to listen to each county department and figure out possible cuts.

The Minnesota Counties Insurance Trust advised the county to go through the detailed scrutiny to avoid arbitrary cuts that would be unfair and end up with litigation, Gabrielsen said. &uot;A salami slice would invite lawsuits by interest groups,&uot; he said.

The county has already put new hiring on hold. The positions requested by departments includes a public nurse, planning and zoning official and four part-time home health aides.