Drum officials bracing for cuts

FORT DRUM — Soldiers and their families will face a noticeable reduction in services as the base contends with an expected budget cut of 30 percent, spokeswoman Julie A. Cuppernall said Friday.

That translates to a reduction in services worth more than $30 million.

The cuts at Fort Drum are part of the military's effort to hold down non-war spending while escalating the fight in Afghanistan. According to an Associated Press report Friday, the portion of the Army budget dedicated to running its bases is down 20 percent this year, even as total defense spending rises. Those figures were provided to the AP by an Army official who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak about them.

The budgets for individual bases are not yet final, but the figures show proposed cuts could be 39 percent at Fort Stewart, Ga., 25 percent at Fort Bragg, N.C., and 21 percent at Bamberg, Germany. Those same figures showed a proposed 22 percent cut for Fort Drum, but Ms. Cuppernall said the base had been told to work with a figure of 30 percent for the budget reduction in fiscal year 2010.

Since the new fiscal year began in October, some cuts already have been made, Ms. Cuppernall said.

The Jefferson County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' nearly $40,000 contract with the base was an early casualty. It ran out several months ago and wasn't renewed. That approximately six-month contract, implemented in the spring, provided shelter services following the closure of the animal shelter on base.

Ms. Cuppernall said she wasn't sure when further cuts might be implemented.

The garrison's directors have been meeting regularly since October to plan cost reductions, and they had indications before then that it would be a tough fiscal year, the spokeswoman said. She said Fort Drum Garrison Commander Col. Kenneth H. Riddle "is very good about letting us know what's coming down the pike," listening to directors and "leaning on them for their expertise."

The notice of likely cuts came with plenty of guidance on making them, Ms. Cuppernall said. The Army's installation Management Commander Lt. Gen. Rick Lynch, who is in charge of the budget for bases, gave priority to programs that directly support soldiers and families during a period of multiple deployments.

"That's all part of our planning," Ms. Cuppernall said. "It's an incredibly complicated procedure."

Gen. Lynch said in a recent commentary distributed to Army post newspapers that the service has enjoyed unprecedented levels of funding in the past years, but that can't continue.

"As the country faces some stiff economic challenges, we are forced to reduce funding and exact a greater level of stewardship over our resources," he said. Starting this year, "performance levels for some installation services will be notably less than we've had in recent years and will remain at that level for the foreseeable future."

At Fort Campbell, Ky., home of the 101st Airborne Division, officials are considering eliminating lawn-mowing and janitorial services and shortening hours at recreation centers, base spokeswoman Kelly Tyler said. But that may not be enough, she said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.