FORT MYERS, Fla. - Lee County Commissioners need to make major cuts to balance a nearly $70 million budget shortfall. Tuesday is the first of three scheduled budget workshops for the commissioners. They are working to trim expenses and it seems everything is up for discussion at this point.

The budget committee handed over a 120 page document targeting items that could be reduced or cut altogether in order to make up the difference. That means everything from overtime to janitor services, to maintenance of vehicles are all on the block.

Employees likely face furloughs and paying for individual health insurance.

Another suggestion to save more than five million a year would cost nearly two thousand Lee County workers, 11 paid holidays.

Budget planners want commissioners to raise the tax rate but they are suggesting a smaller raise next year, 35 cents per 1000 dollars of property value.

Earlier they talked about a one dollar increase but a majority of commissioners rejected that.

The budget should be finalized by September 23rd.