The slowing economy is causing consternation at the Fayette County government complex, and last week’s budget hearing on the capital improvement program demonstrated the cautious approach towards spending the county is now adopting.

Interim County Administrator Jack Krakeel said this week that the county’s staff had submitted requests for more than $3.7 million in new capital improvement programs. But by the time Krakeel and the County Commission had evaluated the programs, the costs had been whittled down to $1.5 million.

Additionally, one of the biggest items in the entire program, a new emergency training center, has been put on hold for a year. The $4.4 million center is planned to be located near the county’s justice center in southeast Fayetteville, but Krakeel and the County Commission agreed it needed to be deferred for another year.

“We’ll do some engineering work for the center, but that will be it,” he said.

Additionally, the county received $1.9 million in requests for equipment and vehicle replacement and pared those requests down to $1.3 million. The Sheriff’s Department had requested 21 vehicles, and Krakeel said only 18 were approved by staff. The staff also recommended replacing two dump-trucks and two ambulances.

The county has also instituted a hiring freeze to help cut costs. Any hiring of replacement positions would have to be approved by Krakeel.

“We’re acutely aware of the economic slowdown and trying to be as fiscally conservative as possible,” he added.