Winnebago County board members tackled their budget battle Thursday night, hoping to free up some cash with early retirement incentives.
"We are hoping that we attract some of the people staying on for employment just for the insurance," Board Member Tom Owens said.
The county board approved a plan offering a buyout package paying $18,000 over three months.
Most workers must be 55 and over to qualify and have eight years of service to the county.
With planned layoffs as part of other county budget cuts, some feel this could draw more takers than previous buyout offers.
"If you're think you're going to get laid off, you might as well retire, get the $6,000 dollars a year for three years to help you carry along," Board Member Randal Olson said.
All together the county's slashing a little more than $6 million to be in the black by September.
Along with layoffs and furloughs, some full time workers volunteered to work 32 hours a week.
The county board voted Thursday to lower health insurance eligibility that currently doens't cover that reduced shift.
"They'll have full insurance at that level," Owens said.
Board members Thursday also met in closed session to discuss a recent complaint filed by the union about layoffs.
After the meeting, some board members defended the county's budget actions.
"We're trying to look at the right places in each department, the county's doing a pretty expansive job doing that," Olson said.
The union argues employees are paying the cost of bad county spending.
And they're also cite a contract violation regarding the layoffs and furloughs that union workers must take.