Girl Scouts in northern Iowa face big deficit

The Girl Scout Council in North Central Iowa is looking for more money to try and make ends meet. Officials with the Girl Scout Council of North Iowa say they’ll end the fiscal year with a $50-thousand deficit. The council serves 3,000 girls in 62 communities, which is a record level for the council. Serving more girls with fewer dollars is what is causing the deficit according to executive director Rosie Hussey. She says the costs of scholarships for things like events and camps have increased 27 percent from two years ago, combine that with the United Way of North Central Iowa halving their traditional $50,000 contribution to the organization starting a few years ago. Hussey says the deficit comes after cuts have been made in two office positions and other budget slashing. She says if the deficit is not eliminated by the end of the fiscal year on September 30th, the amount will be reduced in next year’s budget.