ATLANTA -- As Fulton County commissioners grapple with the county’s budget crisis, it’s becoming clear that some of the people employed by the county soon will find themselves in the unemployment line.

“We are a people-heavy organization, so it’s true. There will be some live bodies that will be casualties in this whole process,” said Fulton County Commissioner Robb Pitts.

The question is how many people will lose their jobs. Fulton County has a budget shortfall of $130 million. The shortage stems mostly from the decline in the real estate industry, which has provided the county with less tax revenue.

One option is a 20 to 25 percent cut in every county department, in addition to laying off 500 county workers. CBS Atlanta asked County Commission Chairman John Eaves how the county can take care of business with that many workers gone.

“It’s still preliminary,” he replied. “I just want to caution, there is a process, and by the time we finish, that number may change.”

Eaves said other options include refinancing Grady Memorial Hospital’s debt, which would require fewer layoffs. Pitts says the county’s main priority is protecting Fulton County’s core services. “We fund a lot of programs and they’re all good programs, but every program has a pricetag. And at some point, it catches up with you, and I think that time is now,” said Pitts.

Pitts said personnel cuts should come from the top, meaning that that some of the county’s high-paid managers should go. “Absolutely, and we would not feel one iota of decrease in service,” he said.

Greg Fann, president of the local chapter of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, said county workers are willing to make deep sacrifices in order to keep their jobs. “That’s what they’re saying. Whatever it takes to keep our jobs. Whatever it takes. If it means furlough days, if it means holidays, we will do it,” he said.

Raising taxes is on the table, too, although commissioners said they hope to avoid a millage increase.

Commissioners plan to adopt a tentative budget Dec. 16 and a final budget Jan. 30.