With a decrease in the amount of property taxes collected, due to the decrease in the tax digest in Chattooga County, the county will see less operating revenue for 2013. (See related story).

Commissioner Jason Winters said, "We have got to get county operation in line to live within these numbers."  Winters has asked all county departments to voluntarily implement 3 furlough days for all employees between now and the end of the year.

Also Winters said that Chattooga County Public Works will be going to a 10 hour, four day work week.  The commissioner said this will decrease fuel and other operational expense.  The four day work week will go into affect this Friday.  Winters said the four day schedule would be used from October to December and then evaluated by his office.

Another cost-cutting measure the commissioner is instituting is a decrease in the number of days the remote dumpster sights will be open.  All of the "convenience centers" or remote dumpster sites, except for the transfer station and the site on Highway 27 South that takes limbs and debris, will be closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Winters said that the county had been monitoring the traffic at the sites and that Tuesdays and Thursdays had the least amount of traffic.  

The transfer station located on Stockade Road and the remote dumpster site on Highway 27 past the Wildlife Food Mart will continue to operate normal hours.

Winters said that the county is cutting back on personnel by not creating new positions and also attrition through retirement by county employees.  Also the commissioner has cut out all non-essential travel and training and is requiring all departments to get prior approval before purchasing office supplies.