(WWJ) Budget cuts are coming in Oakland County, Michigan's richest county, to cover the cost of doing business during a pandemic.
Executive Director Dave Coulter says some workers will be furloughed, there will be a hiring freeze and some capital improvement projects will be put off as a way to save money.
The County Board of Commissioners approved $16.5 million in emergency funds to buy tests and personal protection equipment for the fight against the coronavirus.
"We are generally in good shape," said Coulter, who made his remarks at the start of the committee's first prebudget sessions. "But there are some matters we will need to address before we begin to phase back workers."
On the bright side, Coulter told WWJ's Charlie Langton he doesn't plan to eliminate any jobs.
"There could be a small amount of furloughs but those are just folks who as we begin to reopen county government their job just isn't there right now," Coulter said.
The County Board of Commissioner has to approve a new budget by July first.
Oakland County has had 525 deaths and nearly 6,500 confirmed cases of the virus; 1,669 people have recovered.
