The parking squeeze at the Judicial & Law Enforcement Center isnâÂÂt tight enough to loosen a budget crunch at the nearby Douglas County Courthouse.

County commissioners say they donâÂÂt have enough money to hire consultants to suggest ways to expand parking at the center, where jurors and other visitors often scramble to find parking spaces already filled by dozens of county employees.

The proposed $5,000 study now rests squarely on the back burner, as commissioners grapple with an estimated $1.8 million budget shortfall brought on by state funding cuts.

âÂÂThe fact of the matter is we donâÂÂt have the money right now,â Commissioner Bob Johnson said. âÂÂItâÂÂs important that we do it — we should do it — but itâÂÂs not absolutely necessary that we do it right now.âÂÂ

For $5,000, Denver-based Walker Parking Consultants offered to determine parking demands, assess existing spaces and recommend changes for the center.

Among the specific items that would be studied: prospects for re-striping the lot to squeeze in more spaces, and adding equipment to separate employee and visitor spaces.

âÂÂTheyâÂÂre certainly viable options and not unusual,â said Tom Romine, senior project manager for Walker. âÂÂWhen the time comes, if they want the help, weâÂÂll be happy to provide it.âÂÂ

Walker previously has studied the parking supply in downtown Lawrence, at the request of city officials. The company also consulted on management issues for the cityâÂÂs new 500-space parking garage in the 900 block of New Hampshire Street.

Commissioner-elect Charles Jones, who originally pushed for a county study, said he understood the reluctance to spend money.

The stateâÂÂs $312 million budget hole prompted Gov. Bill Graves to order immediate cuts, including $48 million in transfer funds to local governments. County officials figure theyâÂÂll lose $1.8 million during the next calendar year.

To make up the difference, commissioners will be facing a list of potential job cuts, service reductions and tax increases to balance the books. Wednesday night, commissioners agreed to cut county employeesâ annual cost-of-living increase from 3 percent to 2 percent, a move expected to save $125,000.

Commissioners also agreed to spend $6,000 to help sponsor a heritage summit next month at the Eldridge Hotel, but the overall theme in county government is a focus on being frugal.

âÂÂThereâÂÂs a lot more to worry about than this parking situation right now,â said Jones, who is taking a month off before being sworn back in to office Jan. 13. âÂÂThis allows me to focus on some other things.âÂÂ

Commissioners intend to review possible budget cuts during the next two months. The proposal for a parking study has been tabled indefinitely.