The economy is forcing cuts in spending all over, and that includes Horry County government.
County council began the process at a budget retreat Thursday, by looking for deep cuts in all divisions, including public safety.
Police, fire, 911: all of those public safety departments have vacant positions that will go unfilled in the new budget.
For 911, it'll mean one fewer dispatcher on duty per shift and that could mean, on average, one extra second delay before each call is answered.
The vacant public safety positions will mean a heavier workload for remaining employees.
"We are going to have to get very creative, we are going to be moving around some apparatus in the fire department to make things work, we are still going to be able to maintain an ISO rating of 5 for the entire county," said Public Information Officer Lisa Bourcier.
In all, the budget calls for $16 million in cuts, including a
3 percent salary reduction for all county employees, 88 positions unfilled, and nearly $6 million in delayed capital improvement projects.
The budget calls for no tax increase, but council members said it doesn't help that the legislature keeps coming up with new limits on what counties can do with taxes and property assessments.
"We have had so many restrictions and caps and hindrances in Columbia to what we can do as a county, in order to generate incomes in order to provide the services that are either mandated or required or expected that it's terribly frustrating," said Council Chairman Liz Gilland.
Gilland said Horry County is doing better than most, because this county gets tourism dollars that other counties don't.
"We're much stronger economically than most counties in the state. Even though we're struggling right now, some folks are really struggling."
Also, the state may change its local government funding formula that could cost the county from $2 million up to $12 million in lost revenue and at this point, local officials don't know what that number will be.
Among other cuts next year, fewer roads will be paved and there will be no Christmas party for employees.
