HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said the clock is ticking when it comes to finalizing the county's budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

Hidalgo said the county faces a $220 million deficit and might have to scale back essential services as a result.

Harris County Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey said that won't be needed.

"We're going to take care of the basic core services," Ramsey said.

Ramsey said the Harris County Office of Management and Budget will be presenting a balanced version of the nearly $3 billion budget at Tuesday's commissioners court meeting.

"There's a lot of conversation that the sky is falling," Ramsey said. "That's not what this budget is."

It's a similar message heard from other members. Commissioners Adrian Garcia and Lesley B

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