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Genesee County Cutting Government-Issued Cell Phones

FLINT (WWJ/AP) - Genesee County is cutting the use of government-issued cell phones for workers and replacing them with a monthly allowance for those using personal phones.

The change in employee contracts approved by the county Board of Commissioners this year comes amid cost-cutting efforts. The board is looking for ways to help eliminate a $1 million budget deficit in the current fiscal year as well as trim future costs.

The change, however, isn't expected to eliminate all county-owned phones in the Flint area.

The county currently spends about $300,000 annually on employee cellphones and there has been little resistance to the change so far. A new contract for AFSCME Local 496 Chapter 01 will pay employees who are required to use personal cellphones for work $600 annually.

TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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