HOUSTON -- Harris County has been spared the worst of the economic downturn -- but the still-struggling economy is catching up to one of the largest local governments in the country.
"As best we can tell appraisals are going to be flat, if not down a little, so that means we're going to have to make some difficult decisions," said Harris County Judge Ed Emmett.
Every Harris County department and agency is preparing for budget cuts heading into the 2010-2011 fiscal year, which begins in March.
11 News obtained a copy of the targeted cuts -- and the worst-case scenarios are steep.
The Harris County Sheriff's Office may have to trim as much as 16 percent of its budget. The eight Constable precincts may have cut as much as 13 percent of theirs.
The worst-case scenarios -- and every option is on the table -- range from reassigning personnel, to cutting hours of operation, to rolling back salaries or to laying off county workers.
"Even if we stay flat we've all gotten, frankly, really comfortable with everything growing, growing, growing over the years," said Emmett. "And we can't do that anymore."
Despite the threat of cuts, Harris County is in generally good shape compared to other governments. California is dealing with a $21 billion budget shortfall. Dozens of states have cut public health programs. At least 30 have raised taxes. None of that has happened in Texas.
"With the economic times that we're in, as everybody's in, the county's facing the same problem, and we know there are going to be cuts coming down, everybody does," said Robert Goerlitz, of the Harris County Deputies Organization. "Hopefully it won't affect the public safety and we'll still be able to meet the needs of the community."
Commissioners are expected to approve the county budget in March after months of hearings and negotiations.
