The Pierce County Council got some sobering news this morning as it began hearings on how to balance the county budget: cut spending now and plan to cut again later. And expect next year to be even worse.

The council convened the first of several meetings devoted to figuring out how to cover what originally was expected to be an $8 million revenue shortfall. As sales tax revenues continue to slump, the shortfall has grown to an estimated $10 million to $12 million.

Budget director Pat Kenney told the council this morning it could get worse. By June the county will have a better idea how property taxes, planning department fees and other revenue sources are shaping up for the year.

Until then, Kenney asked the council to stick with the $8 million figure as it decides how to balance the budget this month. But he also said he'll be back for more cuts.

“There are going to be more cuts that need to be made,” Kenney said.

The next round may not involve the kind of across-the-board cuts County Executive Pat McCarthy recently proposed.

Kenney said the executive’s staff is studying the budget with an eye toward eliminating entire programs that aren’t top priorities. He said the next round of cuts likely will force the council to see “what you’re willing to let go because you have to.”

Bad as 2009 may be, Kenney said 2010 will be even worse. The county has been relying on its general fund balance and other one-time fixes to shore up this year’s budget. Those fixes may not be available next year.

“I think 2010 is likely to be worse than what you’re facing now,” Kenney told the council.

Update: Pat Kenney called to clarify that additional budget cuts may come either this summer or as part of next year's budget.

"It could be either or it could be both," Kenney said.