PORT TOWNSEND — A soft, slow economy has left Jefferson County with a general fund budget nearly $1.5 million in the hole.

That, combined with a declining number of funding sources, is why county leaders are considering cuts, such as having some of the county’s 320 employees voluntarily work four nine-hour shifts, or a 36-hour week.

“The big problem we have is the general fund,” said Allen Sartin, Jefferson County director or central services and the county financial expert, on Wednesday.

“The general fund is the one that is going to be hard to balance.”

The general fund was off about $700,000 this time last year.

Sartin said the dilemma can be blamed on lower sales, excise and real estate tax revenues, construction declines and higher fuel, asphalt and transportation costs.

Aggravating the situation are the loss of federal grants and a loss of about $1.3 million in the roads and schools federal timber subsidy program dollars.

Besides county offices headed by elected officials, the general fund also subsidizes key services such as Public Health, animal services and Washington State University Extension.

“The problem’s there” in the general fund, Sartin said.

“But it could reach out and touch other operations.”