Butler County's negotiating team met with union representatives Wednesday afternoon, trying to hash out new agreements for about 500 workers.

The county is under the gun to sign new pacts which include a 1.5 percent paycheck deduction as an employee contribution toward their health care costs.

Without those contributions from workers at the government center, courthouse and Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, the county faces a $500,000 deficit in the 2009 budget.

The county commissioners previously said job cuts may occur in coming weeks to offset the deficit.

Employees are working under the terms of the previous contracts, which have no provision for health care contributions. Those agreements expired Nov. 30.

Workers in December overwhelmingly rejected previous offers for the six bargaining units.

Sunnyview union representatives maintain money isn't an outstanding issue, but scheduling and the elimination of jobs are.

The county proposes to cut the 11-person laundry department and discuss similar moves down the road for other nonmedical departments.

Simultaneously, the county is seeking proposals from companies to operate or buy Sunnyview.

County solicitor Julie Graham said at Wednesday's commissioners meeting the proposals are due next month.

Sunnyview workers presented a large poster board with 1,750 signatures of people wanting the county to keep the facility.

Bonnie Gould, Sunnyview union steward, said there is significant public opposition to selling Sunnyview.

They believe "it's a tremendous asset to our community," she said.

County officials continually cite Sunnyview's operating loss as the main reason the nursing home may have to be sold someday.

The estimated loss for this year is about $1 million.

Gould said the projected 2009 deficit for Sunnyview pales in comparison to rising costs for the new county prison being constructed on South Washington Street.