The Citrus County Commission's budget workshop today showed in microcosm what is happening around the state - counties with less and less revenues continue the downward revenues spiral.

As a former county administrator said, "When you cut down to the bone, all you have left is bone."

County commissioners are also concerned about the 2011-12 budget, and all agreed today that the county and constitutional officers all begin thinking about that budget cycle as soon as possible. But this year is no picnic. One by one, county constitutional officers told commissioners about tough cuts they've had to reach an 8 percent reduction from last year's budget numbers.

Each branch of government is suffering from a lack of revenues. Clerk of Courts Betty Strifler said that there has been a 65 percent decrease in revenues from 2005. For the coming budget year, she said, her office needs to raise its budget by 14 percent to make up for that shortfall.

Supervisor of Elections Susan Gill said her office is down $6,575, and that future concerns will hace to address a presidential election and redistricting.

The State Attorney's office said the cuts have been extraordinarily hard hit, and that at some point, that office will have to replace equipment. "I don't know how much longer I can do this," a representative from that office told commissioners.

Some things coming down the pike are going to take more revenues, something alluded to by Sheriff Jeff Dawsy and County Administrator Brad Thorpe. Dawsy said public safety must be a priority, but warned that he would "put his foot down" next year when it comes to cutting his budget any further.

Thorpe said funding the county's fire master plan definitely would require raising more revenues.

Also today, the commission voted unanimously to approve keeping the current local property tax rate of 6.4967 mills.