Santa Barbara County, like most other local governments, has worked out a balanced budget despite uncertainties in funding from Sacramento.

County Administrator Mike Brown explained the budget issue during a luncheon in Buellton on Wednesday. Speaking to the "Committee to Improve the North County," Brown said the final cuts were not equal across the board.

Although final decisions have been made locally, he says the state could still come in and take local tax dollars to pay state bills. That, he says, could be a punch in the gut for the county's already fragile financial plan.

"That will whack us $15(M) in the general fund, the fire fund, the flood funds and a couple of other places," said Brown. "it is roughly equivalent to 150 people going out the door."

Despite some gloomy predictions, some of the North Santa Barbara County leaders say these dire times will bring many groups closer together to work on solutions.

For more, here's KEY News Senior Reporter John Palminteri.