CLEARWATER -- Pinellas County Administrator Bob LaSala told employees Friday that the county won't lay off more workers in 2010 or 2011 unless an unexpected slump happens.

"We think the reduced level of service is sustainable for the a couple of years," LaSala told 24 workers at the planning department.

The county laid off 275 people in September as part of budget cuts. The county created a reserve fund to stave off deeper cuts in the next few years, although LaSala said Pinellas will need find new sources of money in a few years if growth remains as flat as expected.

But the cuts this year were meant to end piecemeal cuts, which happened before LaSala arrived a year ago. Even with property taxes expected to drop 5 to 8 percent next year, the county expects to be able to weather the lower revenue.

"It's like trying to change the tires on a car going 25 mph. It just doesn't happen," LaSala said.

LaSala has spent the month meeting with various departments to discuss the cuts.

David DeCamp, Times staff writer