More budget cuts looming for education, community groups, law enforcement

PITT COUNTY, N.C. (WNCT)- It's another sign our economic struggle in the east is far from over.  The Pitt County Board of Commissioners approved another round of cuts to education, community groups, and law enforcement.

It’s a necessary evil.  "any cuts in constrained budgets is obviously going to constrain services and ability to provide services,” said Scott Elliott, Pitt County Manager.

But Elliott says cutting spending now will keep the county from dipping into its savings.

"We are very concerned that he's cut off all our additional spending of money from here on out to the rest of this year,” said Neil Elks, Pitt County Sheriff.

Sheriff elks says his department has done its part to help the county's shortfall from holding off on the 25 cars that need to be replaced to holding federal inmates at the Pitt County Detention Center to make extra money.

"We were hoping that money would be generated and looked at, and smiled upon and given back to us to be able to replace vehicles that are badly needed and at the same time not costing the tax payers a dime,” said Elks.  “They don't seem to be going that way."

Instead, county commissioners have approved cutting 2.3% of its spending to the sheriff's office.  The county will cut another 1.1% from groups like Pitt County Schools and the Council on Aging. 

"Yes we are under-funded, we do have people on our waiting list," said DIANE SKALKO, Executive Director of the Pitt County Council on Aging.

She says she hasn't had to cut services at the Council on Aging.  After taking a 3% cut from the county last year she found the money in other areas like cutting janitorial services from twice to once a week.

"I understand the situation they're in,” she said.  “We'll work with them the best that we can.  We'll tighten where we can and do our fair share."

Elliott says education and other groups will survive the cuts by falling back on their own fund balances.  And as for public safety- "I don't think a 2.33% cut within that fund will have a tremendous effect on the operation,” said Elliott. 

The commissioners voted unanimously to approve the cuts but county leaders will now have to work with department heads to implement them.

Elliott says the departments giving back a portion of their operating money now will help carry county into next fiscal year when he expects the budget process to be even tighter.