News 12 at 6 o'clock, December 22, 2009

EVANS, Ga.---The economy has everyone tightening their belts governments included. Now Columbia County departments have to cut 5 percent of their spending from the 2010-2011 budget.

We're still six months away from approving next year's budget but a drop in sales tax revenue means times are tough in Columbia County.

Kerry Walton and his son Aaron spent the day out at Patriots Park. Kerry grew up in Columbia County and while he's just visiting family this week, the plan is to move back to the Evans area soon.

Hearing that the county is looking at cutting 12.5 million dollars has him a little worried.

"5 percent of millions is a pretty good number but hopefully they can manage it," says Walton.

The budget message for the 2010-2011 year states simply, "we can't spend what we don't have." with fewer people shopping and generating tax dollars, they say something must be done.

"Since the revenues are down by sales tax, our only other option is to increase property taxes, which the commission has no intention to do. So we're going to continue to tighten our belt and try to be fiscally responsible and try to make the cuts where we can," says Deputy County Administrator Scott Johnson.

They say services shouldn't be touched and that money can be saved by looking within.

"We want to continue to try to give the people, residents of Columbia County the services that they deserve-- that they expect and we feel like we can do that," says

Recreations Manager Charlie Beale says Kerry and his son Aaron have nothing to worry about in his department.

"It's just a matter of looking at different ways you do things and still carrying on the same services that we've been doing," says Beale.

The messages also outlines a zero budget plan for departments to start from scratch when crunching the numbers. "Just because it was in your budget last year does not mean it will be in your budget this year. We want everyone to start at zero, really work their way up and say what are the necessities, what do we have to have to operate," adds Johnson.

As the county begins throwing ideas around, Kerry and Aaron hope they can cross their goal line by moving back home.

Over the past two years, the county has cut over 600,000 dollars and ten jobs. However, elected officials added 16 jobs, which offset the budget cuts. Those positions deal directly with growth and public safety, which they say will not be compromised.

We are still in the very early stages of budget talks. There are meetings between January and June and the final budget will be approved in July.