NORWICH - Although not all of the revenues are in, the first quarter budget results for the county’s mental health programs indicate a potential $93,000 year-end deficit.

“If you continue at this rate, you are going to have one whale of a shortfall,” Robert D. Briggs, Supervisor of the Town of Afton, said. Briggs was speaking to Chenango County Mental Hygiene Services Director Mary Ann Spryn who explained the situation to members of two standing committees this week.

Lawmakers have been keeping a keen eye on the department’s budget since February when it first learned about Medicaid take-backs from previous years that had left the department $45,400 short.

Spryn blamed the lack of revenues on staff vacancies due to illness. She said two of the six positions that were open in the first quarter have now been filled.

“The short staffing is having an impact on revenues, but I’m still confident things are going to turn around,” she said. The director pointed to more units of services already tabulated for April and May, and said state aid and Medicaid revenues would help recover the deficit.