Current DeWitt County officials say they cannot remember the last time there were layoffs locally and they plan to keep it that way.

Layoffs are not an option according to DeWitt County Board Chair David Newberg. This week on Regional Radio, we've explored the challenges that are coming with this current budget cycle, which are likely shrinking revenues and growing costs.

County Administrator DeeDee Rentmeister won't call it a hiring freeze but they are asking their departments to scale back through attrition and shifting responsibilities of various offices.

While the County may be in a position now to hire and fully staff some of their departments, Newberg says it's not a good idea to hire people that they may not be able to afford to pay in a year or two. He says their treasurer's office is an example of a few places they are doing more with less.

Both officials credit their county officials with the mindset to be a team player in this transition. They hope by this time next year, they will know more about what the ratio of costs to revenue will look like and perhaps can start to put more people in these areas of need.