After meetings earlier this week, each department has been given a target amount. It ranges from a low of $513 for the 'Board of Equalization' to a high of $461,000 for the 'Sheriffs Office.'

Earlier projections of up to 50 job losses now are estimated to be about 20. This number could be reduced according to County Commissioner Doug England. If unions would allow an 'across the board' reduction in benefits for all, to save jobs for others. England says that in some cases the unions might be cooperative, in another he says there is talk of employees doing away with union representation.

We asked England about budget meetings this week that ended up with Department Heads knowing the dollar amount that each had to cut.

CLICK HERE and LISTEN - Commissioner Doug England |

Some departments are looking at reduction in hours, and salaries, but that would require union approval. The County's $2 Million Dollar drop in revenue is because of a decline in Sales Tax revenue, fewer building permits, and a decline in Treasury interest.

The Sheriffs Office is the largest County budget, and last week Sheriff Mike Harum was asked, like all department heads, to cut 10%. After this weeks meetings, and fine tuning of the overall County Budget, the Sheriffs cuts are expected to be 5.8%, or about $461,000.

Commissioner England remains critical of the Sheriff's 'Helecopter Program, and perhaps other specialized teams or programs. He says the County cost for the Sheriffs Office is $200 per-capita, as compared with other counties being as low as $119.

CLICK HERE and LISTEN - Commissioner Doug England |