More NHC cuts announced

New Hanover County has to tighten its belt more than its been doing for the past several months.

County Manager Bruce Shell announced today that further measures will be taken to ensure the county avoids financial trouble. By the end of June, the county has to cut three million dollars from its budget.

For months, travel and training have been cut, and of the county’s 1500 jobs, about 50 open positions haven’t been filled.

Shell said that has saved about one million dollars, but the county now needs to take it a few steps further. Starting today, long-time employees have two weeks to decide whether to accept an early retirement package. Depending on how many accept that offer, layoffs may come next.

“With this downturn, it was really a proactive approach to take steps now rather than wait until all the numbers come in and then being in a reactionary mode,” Shell said.

It was also announced today that all county employees will have to take five unpaid days off between now and the end of June.

This could affect the county’s emergency services like the 911 center and the fire and sheriff’s department. Shell said they’re very limited in where they make cuts there, but they will work to see where they can save.