CLEVELAND -- County commissioners will meet Thursday to to discuss what should be next to deal with Cuyahoga County's budget deficit.

Last week, Cuyahoga County department heads have been instructed to explore the possibility of buyouts, a hiring freeze or layoffs to trim the county's work force.

Officials said a slumping local economy is squeezing sales tax and other revenues.

An $18 million deficit is forecast by the end of this year in Cuyahoga County's general fund for day-to-day operations. Officials say it could grow to $38 million by 2010 unless something is done.