The director of Alachua County's Department of Public Safety is now having to balance his budget by eliminating almost $850,000 in services, but none of those services involve firefighters.

After county commissioners voted 3 to 2 against the fire fee, Director Ed Bailey says some of the positions on the chopping block include public information and public safety. A district fire chief will retire early and postponing vehicle replacement will help the department trim some of the costs.

"Everybody is suffering. The economy is in a downturn; it's not just in Alachua County, it's not just in the state of Florida, it's all over the country and we just have to do the best we can from the resources that we have," says Public Safety Director Ed Bailey.

The cuts in costs will begin in October which is the beginning of their next fiscal year. Commissioners still need to approve the final millage rate of 1.3391 by a four fifths vote in September.