GALLATIN, Tenn. -- The budget crunch has hit Sumner County hard, as officials there said they are experiencing a shortfall in the millions.

Video: Property Tax Hike Pondered In Sumner County

Some county officials said it might be time to raise taxes as they don't yet have a finalized budget even though the fiscal year is a couple of weeks old.

Even with recommended cuts in many departments, the general fund budget is about $2.5 million short, and the education budget is $8 million short, officials said.

Gallatin resident Wayne Patterson said with gas prices on the rise amidst a slowing economy, paying for higher property taxes could be difficult.

"A lot of people have a hard time paying property taxes now," Patterson said.

Sumner County Commissioner Shawn Fennell said a few county officials have talked about increasing taxes. So far, the budget committee is recommending a 12 percent budget cut across the board.

"We've discussed it quite a bit," Fennell said.

Some departments said they're worried that some services will be lost completely if the cuts occur.

"There's just a lot we need in Sumner County -- one is the animal control," Fennell said.

This week, the sheriff's department announced they could not take over animal control with the recommended cuts to their budget. The takeover was supposed to correct many problems there, officials said.

"You got to get down to the nuts and bolts of what department needs to run," Commissioner Chris Hughes said.

Hughes said most commissioners do not favor a tax increase. He said in tight times, all county departments, including schools, need to pull their weight so the burden isn't pushed onto the citizens.

"We've got to tighten our belts like anyone else," Hughes said.

Many departments said they're now trying to figure out hot to cut their budgets. One commissioner said he doesn't expect the county will have a finalized budget until fall.

County officials said they're working on a continued budget from last year, which allows the county to run their day-to-day affairs.

No new spending is allowed, officials said.

A county commission meeting is scheduled for Monday night. Officials said they expect animal control and the budget will be discussed.