The Haywood County Commissioners are considering cutting employees back to 2005 levels, a move described by The Mountaineer as “beyond cutting fat.” Vacancies have already been held open, but new vacancies are likely to remain unfilled and three environmental health positions still filled may be axed. Chair Mark Swanger expressed trepidation because no matter how wise the county is, the state, rather than making fiscally-responsible cuts in its own budget, could once again give local government budgets a swift, unexpected jolt.