BENTON (WSIL) -- During a pandemic that continues to cripple local economies, leaders in Franklin County are considering possible cuts.
At last Saturday's meeting, the county board unanimously voted to extend the disaster declaration until the end of April. They also looked at possible areas where the board can make minimal cuts.
The board is looking for ways to trim the payroll says chairman Randall Crocker. He told board members he wants to avoid any drastic cuts.
""EMA is on that list, the sheriff's department, juvenile detention," Crocker said in a phone recording of Saturday's meeting.
"Our county is not in good financial shape to start with and we have no excess funds to absorb this," Crocker told News 3 on Wednesday.
County EMA director Ryan Buckingham is waiting to hear what the board decides, but remains focused on making sure first responders receive the aid they need.
Sheriff Dave Bartoni says the department is working at minimum levels after cutting five full-time employees. He said he was unaware of discussions about possible cuts to his department.
"Any further cuts would be devastating to our operation and would result in a significant reduction in services to the people of Franklin County," Bartoni said in a statement to News 3.
The next board meeting is happening Monday night. The county will have a link to access the meeting on its Facebook and will post the full recording of the meeting on its .
