Wake budget cuts to reach 10% next year

Raleigh, N.C. — As Wake County department heads scramble to find ways to cut 4 percent from their 2009 budgets, county officials said Monday that cuts for the 2010 budget year, which starts next July, will increase to 10 percent.

The county expects to lose $17 million in the coming months slowing economy and deflated housing market eat into sales tax and deed stamp revenue. Cuts by state agencies also will trickle down to the county level, officials said.

"Some departments will have their ox gored. They will lose resources," Commissioner Joe Bryan said.

The Board of Commissioners on Monday asked the Wake County school system to reduce its local funding by $5.7 million. The school board agreed to the request Tuesday.

County officials said some areas may lose more than others, but there likely will be no big winners.

"Se just need to reprioritize and make sure the funds we do have available go to the highest-priority services," Bryan said.

Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison said he would do what he can to trim his budget, but he said there are limitations.

"I have the staff looking at things. You know, we're talking about 4 percent. Where do you start with 4 percent?" Harrison said. "Public safety is not going to be jeopardized. I don't know that we'll be able to cut that 10 percent, let me first say that. As long as I'm sheriff, we'll continue the services we can."

Raising taxes to increase revenue and limit cuts is very unlikely in the current economy, officials said.

11 Comments

WRAL.com welcomes your comments on this story. All comments are moderated prior to publication based on our posting guidelines. Please review them prior to posting and if your message is not approved.

VIEW ALL 11 COMMENTS

This story is closed for comments. Comments on WRAL.com news stories are accepted and moderated between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Latest Comments

"That sad thing is that most of the cuts will probably be in the form of no raises for county and state employees next year. That means a lot of "average joes" who are county and state employees (and don't get paid much anyway) will not be able to afford groceries, taxes, housing, etc. I hope I am wrong, but I bet that is where the cuts will occur. - Lady Justice"

And by eliminating some jobs, or not being able to hire into positions that people leave because of low pay -- those "average joes" have to do more work for no more pay too. *sigh*

shellbelle
December 3, 2008 11:07 a.m.

50% of the budgets goes to education and the kids aint no smaller

buco
December 3, 2008 9:30 a.m.

"more cuts not enough way too bloated already if average joe can't afford groceries/gas etc they need to cut more no more spending" seeingthru

That sad thing is that most of the cuts will probably be in the form of no raises for county and state employees next year. That means a lot of "average joes" who are county and state employees (and don't get paid much anyway) will not be able to afford groceries, taxes, housing, etc. I hope I am wrong, but I bet that is where the cuts will occur.

Lady Justice
December 3, 2008 8:49 a.m.

Every Governmental agency, local, State and especially Federal has at least 25% "fat" included but they never consider that cuts should be made in personell during a downturn. Who in their right mind is going to lay off VOTERS.

WHEEL
December 3, 2008 8:12 a.m.

I have to say, looking at the new WC school reassignment plan makes me think they must have plenty of dough. They are sending kids all over the place like some kind of pinball game.