Recently, a sign appeared in the County Attorney’s Office next to the copy machine that read:

“Important Announcement: Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas and oil, the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off.”

El Paso County’s budget cuts have claimed 180 jobs this year – 111 layoffs and 69 positions eliminated. In the coming year, residents are sure to notice the impacts of cuts that will reduce the county’s budget to $232.3 million in 2009 from $234.8 million this year.

Cuts will affect nearly every county service, except those offices assessing property for tax purposes and sending out tax bills. The Assessor’s and Treasurer’s offices saw small budget cuts that didn’t require layoffs. The Coroner’s Office saw a slight increase in funding and made no cuts.By department, here’s what the county did to balance next year’s budget and the impacts county officials expect:

Health DepartmentBudget: Cut $1 million, from $3.8 million in 2008 to $2.8 million in 2009; 37 positions eliminated, including at least 23 layoffs.

• Office hours reduced starting Jan. 5 to Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Child-care inspections for 400 licensed facilities eliminated; no one will check on sanitation and safety. Complaint investigations limited to high-risk diseases or outbreaks.

• Testing and monitoring of animal-to-human diseases such as West Nile virus, plague and rabies eliminated, possibly resulting in outbreaks of the disease before sources are identified.

• Swimming pool inspections cut, meaning pools could contain bacteria that would go undetected until someone turned up sick.

• Monitoring of sexually transmitted diseases and their spread eliminated; potential carriers might go undiagnosed and untreated and spread them to other people.

Clerk and RecorderBudget: Cut $1.5 million, from $7.6 million in 2008 to $6.1 million in 2009; 19 laid off, seven positions eliminated.

• Longer lines to register to vote, get a marriage license or vehicle license plate.

• Two offices – Centennial Hall downtown and the Powers Branch at Airport Road and Powers Boulevard – will close Fridays starting Jan. 5. The Chapel Hills Mall branch will remain open five days a week.

Sheriff’s OfficeBudget: Cut $1.1 million, from $44.4 million in 2008 to $43.3 million in 2009; 24 positions eliminated.

• One or two fewer deputies on patrol at any given time, leading to longer response times.

• Two fewer DARE (drug and alcohol resistance education) deputies in schools, meaning schoolchildren won’t have the opportunity to learn about the impact of drugs and alcohol.

• Four detective positions with various federal task forces eliminated, reducing interaction with federal agents in crime-fighting.

Administrative ServicesBudget: A budget comparison isn’t possible, because the layoffs were accompanied by a reorganization that eliminated some departments and combined others. 52 people laid off, 41 jobs eliminated.

• Thirteen parks positions cut. Park hours will be shortened, park maintenance reduced and restrooms locked except for weekends.

• Nine court services positions cut. No monitoring of people out on bond, posing potential danger to victims of domestic violence, added court costs due to missed court dates, jail crowding and heavier workload for deputies.

• Three environmental services positions cut. Slower response times to address contamination and pollution incidents. Reduction in proactive mitigation programs.

• One fleet job cut. Longer response times for repairs.

• Thirteen transportation jobs cut. Reduced long-range planning, slower response times to citizen requests, such as potholes, reduction in maintenance and fewer staff for snow removal efforts, meaning slower response times and fewer roads plowed.

• Four employee benefits positions cut. Potential Fair Labor Standards Act violations, exposing the county to lawsuits.

• Nineteen facilities management jobs cut. Reduced preventive maintenance on equipment and buildings, increased deterioration of buildings and equipment.

• Twelve security jobs cut. Fewer screeners in the judicial building, leading to routine waits of up to 30-35 minutes. Fewer inspections of security systems, such as alarms and cameras, and reduced security training, potentially leading to security breaches such as weapons slipping past security posts. No security for citizens or employees in buildings on weekends or after 8 p.m.

District AttorneyBudget: Cut $1.2 million, from $10.1 million in 2008 to $8.9 million in 2009

• No layoffs so far. District Attorney-elect Dan May said he might be forced to plea bargain more cases and charge more fees for services, such as the juvenile diversion program.

May hopes to offset cuts by seeking grant money, converting some attorney jobs to paralegal positions with lesser pay and charging more for copies of records.

Department of Human ServicesBudget: Cut $385,000, from $41.8 million in 2008 to $41.4 million in 2009. (Most DHS funding comes from state and federal governments.)

• No layoffs so far. Director Barbara Drake hopes her decision to have more employees process food stamp and other welfare applications and investigate abuse claims will maintain services.

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