NC county layoffs includes sheriff’s deputies

MONROE, N.C. — A North Carolina sheriff is warning that layoffs of deputies in his county could mean a slower response time in emergencies.

The Enquier-Journal of Monroe reports that Union County Sheriff Eddie Cathey and the county commissioners would meet Tuesday to discuss the county’s $15 million budget shortfall due to the slumping economy.

County officials laid off 40 employees Friday, and commissioners proposed laying off 11 deputies in the sheriff’s office.

Cathey said job cuts in his 250-person department would come from the jail and patrol divisions as well as the in-school drug education program. The sheriff also said he would defer maintenance on equipment and vehicles.

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