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Most elected Jefferson County officials are waiting to hear how the metro government and state budget cuts will affect their offices.



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County attorney -- At this point, the office doesn't anticipate any major cuts in personnel or in the public services they provide, "but that could change," said Bill Patteson, spokesman for Jefferson County Attorney Mike O'Connell.



A group representing county and commonwealth's attorneys across the state on Wednesday warned that more budget cuts by the state could result in layoffs and disrupt prosecutions, leaving the state court system in shambles.



O'Connell noted that in tough economic times crime tends to increase. And while one of the roles of prosecutors is to "maintain civil order," he said, if further cuts are enacted, "It's going to get ugly."



O'Connell has a staff of nearly 400 and an annual budget of about $20 million, most of which comes from the state and the rest -- about $7 million -- from the city.



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Jefferson circuit clerk -- David Nicholson has a staff of about 330, all of whom are paid by the state Administrative Office of the Courts. The payroll this fiscal year is estimated at $12.2 million.



"We don't anticipate any personnel or service cuts the rest of the fiscal year," said Nicholson's chief of staff, Ronnie Harris.