A "new era of government" is about to begin in Jefferson County, according to county Commissioner Tom Gentile. Commissioners Dave Maple and Tom Graham agree that will mean layoffs of some county employees and reductions in government services.

It appears their assessment is accurate - as shocking as it may seem. Revenue for county government is down dramatically during the current fiscal year. It will be worse next year.

A reduction in the size of government of as much as 15 percent is possible, Graham estimated during a meeting last week.

Whew! Graham's 15 percent reduction figure needs to be taken in context - as commissioners no doubt are doing. Much of what county government spends is "locked in." That is, it represents programs commissioners have little or no choice but to fund at certain levels. A 15 percent overall cut, then, could mean even more substantial reductions in spending for other programs.

Commissioners expressed concern last week that some county department heads are not taking the fiscal crunch as seriously as they should. That needs to change.

Government at all levels below federal is having to cope with a time of fiscal change. Wishful thinking will not alter that. The sooner the tough decisions to keep Jefferson County's budget balanced are made, the better.