An appeal for furloughs of county employees was the topic of a meeting Chattooga County Commissioner Jason Winters had with the county's elected officials on Wednesday. Winters met with Chief Magistrate Judge Tracy Maddox, Probate Judge Jon Payne, Tax Commissioner Kathy Brown and Clerk of Court Laan Cordle.

In that meeting he requested that each employee in each department be furloughed one day per month for October, November and December, to decrease payroll costs due to the county's recent budget problems. He said he asks that the furloughs be instituted whether the department is over budget or not. He said it is up to each constitutional officer how the furloughs are done. Winters also asked that each constitutional officer make any cost saving measures possible within the department. Winters explained that the the Magistrate Court, Tax Commissioner's office, Probate Court, and Clerk of Court are all under budget and understaffed, adding that the Sheriff's department is over budget and over staffed.

Winters said county funds are exhausted and the furlough measures will build up a little money. He explained that every year the tax digest is getting smaller and he doesn't want to raise property taxes. He said he did that in 2010 and refuses to do it again. He also asked that elected officials are exempt from furlough days but any may volunteer. He said he is voluntarily taking the furlough days. Judge Jon Payne said he would most likely do the same.