KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Several major fires have taxed Morristown's manpower to the limit this year.

But lower tax revenues mean firefighters will battle the next multi-alarmer, two men short.

"The gentlemen laid off, they came from a job to work for the city," says veteran firefighter Brian Headrick. "And after they came out of recruit school, they don't have a job."

Acting City Administrator Lynn Wampler puts it even more bluntly.

"It's probably the worst (budget challenge), I've had to deal with," he says.

Wampler has spent his career managing municipal money. He's
been on the job in Morristown only a month-and-a-half, but that's long enough to realize than a 9.75 percent sales tax rate, coupled with
a 14 percent unemployment rate, is a recipe for falling short.

"We've brought in $2 million less the past two years," he says.
"And we're only four-and-a-half months in, to this budget year."

Hendrick wants to know more about how his city got there.

"I'm afraid, that as a citizen, there's been mismanagement of funds along the board," he says.

"The first thing I looked at was the audit," Wampler says.

"We aren't bringing in what we should for a city our size, but everything spent is defensible."

Morristown last raised property taxes three years ago, when it opened Fire Station Number Six.

Chief Bill Honeycutt maintains that the layoffs won't force him to close stations, nor will insurance rates suffer.

"But the furloughs could make scheduling tricky," he says.

Firefighters will be furloughed; work 8 fewer hours each month, without pay. Other city employees will work 90 minutes fewer each week.

"We'll be doubling up in cruisers, two officers per car, says Police Chief Roger Overholt.

"We'll save on gas, but it will take longer to respond to property crimes."

Crimes against person will remain a top priority, Chief Overholt promises.

Headrick is more than skeptical.

"Instead of fixing a problem, they just kind of put a patch on it," he says.

Morristown has considered raising the fees for collecting commercial garbage. Recently installed "red light cameras" will bring in more revenue, at no cost, Wampler says.

"At this point, I hope we won't have to cut more services next year.
I hope we can restore the positions we've cut," he says.

"But I can't guarantee that will be the case."