Voluntary layoffs were announced today at the Chattooga County Sheriff's Office and Jail. That according to Sheriff John Everett, who met with Chattooga County Commissioner Jason Winters earlier in the day.

Everett says there will be 16 positions cut in all. Eleven of those will be from the Sheriff's Department and 5 from the jail. Today, all employees received letters announcing voluntary layoffs until October 1. If 16 employees don't volunteer to lose their jobs by October 1, more employees will be laid off to reach the required number.  Everett says there may be two employees eligible for retirement.

The layoffs are mandatory because of a a new 11.534 millage rate that was recently approved and a decrease in the tax digest. That means the county will have about $340,000 less to work with in 2013 than in 2012, and $600,000 less than in 2011.   

Everett told AM1180 that the layoffs effect 16 families and the new administration won't be able to fill those positions, which puts public safety at risk. However he added that the new administration would probably make about a 75% change in administration and this gives those laid off a chance to draw unemployment and look for jobs. He said there isn't enough money in the payroll to pay 16 people for November and December and no one wants to work for free.

The county is operating on property tax income of 4.6 to 4.9 million dollars, according to Winters. He said the only way we can do that is with some cuts in positions. Other cost saving measures could include employee furloughs and cuts to health care benefits.