Post 1 Commissioner Garnett Webb is concerned about,

“The elimination of approximately 17 men next week from the Road Department by Chairman Simonds.”

At the October 25th Board of Commissioners meeting, Webb said that the decision to cut these jobs concerned him and that he disagrees with the decision.

“The loss of jobs and the cut in wages by (of) our valuable employees at the road department has hurt me,”

he said during the commissioner’s comments portion of the meeting, adding,

“A lot of Fannin County citizens are hurting financially to pay their mortgage, to pay their rent, buy food, pay bills.”

He said that some of these employees have given 20 to 30 years of valuable service to the county and that the county needs to take care of its employees.

But, the cuts are not final. According to County Clerk Rita Kirby, the county is expected to make some cuts. Chairman Bill Simonds, though, has yet to make any announcements on the matter. Kirby noted the cuts could come as soon as next week and that the county is considering permanently laying off 17 employees, although she did not indicate from which department. If these 17 jobs are eliminated, the county could save approximately $350,000, not including retirement and health benefits, Kirby explained.

The county will release more details on the subject in the weeks to come. FYN will follow the story as it develops.