Fulton may slash library hours

In an effort to start chipping away at an expected budget shortfall of $70 million or more next year, Fulton County Manager Zachary Williams will ask commissioners Wednesday to scale back library hours, according to county documents. Specifics aren't clear, but Williams is proposing to reduce hours starting Sept. 1 to save $200,000.

The county's finance managers warned of service cuts if commissioners didn't raise the property tax rate, but facing a taxpayer backlash, the board unanimously declined earlier this month. Williams also suggests putting off renovations to the South Annex to create a new health clinic until 2014, saving $2.4 million. That project was added to the budget this year at the request of south Fulton Commissioner Bill Edwards.