Based on predictions received from the state, officials from the Nevada County Superior Court anticipate sending out five to six lay off notices later this summer, said Sean Metroka, court executive officer.

The court expects to see cuts by as much as $400,000 next fiscal year starting in July, a little more than 5 percent of the court’s annual budget. That’s on top of $250,000 reductions from the current fiscal year.

Nearly a year ago, the court began shaving costs by reducing non-personnel expenses by $260,000, letting go five temporary employees and in January starting a volunteer furlough program for all non-elected employees.

By April’s end, furloughs became mandatory for the 71 remaining state employees. Workers must reduce their clocked time by 40 hours by Dec. 31.

Next year, the locally managed court plans to increase mandatory furlough time to 104 hours, an average of two hours per week, Metroka said.

Money set aside to fund 41 courthouses statewide, including a new building in Nevada County, is being eyed by the state as another means to lesson budget woes.

“There is some proposal to divert that money to offset the state’s deficit,” Metroka said. “Our project isn’t likely to move forward for many years.”