As the year runs out, so does money in the county. County departments are struggling to finish the year with what little money they have left in their budgets, and one department in particular has nothing left.

The Board of County Commissioners was informed at the Nov. 12 meeting that the coroner’s department has bills that need to be paid, but no money to pay them. Sandy Graeff is the Elbert County coroner, and when she approached the board, her concerns were apparent. She said she has three autopsy bills to pay, and because of the budget cut last year, which was $10,000, the department has no money.

Board chairman and Sandy Graeff’s sister-in-law, Suzie Graeff, said the bills will have to be paid from another department’s funds, which will probably end up being the commissioner’s department.

Sandy Graeff had asked for a supplemental appropriation to pay the bills, but the county did not have any revenue left over last year after the budget was approved. She said, as coroner, she has never been over budget, and is concerned now because she will be at least $10,000 over budget.

“I have worked so hard to stay under budget and it will say I was over budget in the paper,” she said. “To see this come up this year is heartbreaking.”

The coroner’s department was not the only department with budget cuts. Suzie Graeff said each departments’ funding was cut last year and they will be cut even more this year.

“We are not picking on anyone, we just don’t have the money,” she said.

Although Sandy Graeff is frustrated with the current situation, she said she is aware the commissioners are doing the best they can in a very trying time.