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One sign that these are tough budget times: Pierce County may cut hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding to community groups and charities.

The details are yet to come. But County Executive Pat McCarthy has recommended cutting $565,000 in funding to outside groups as part of an $8 million spending reduction.

County Council members and the executive divvy up millions of dollars in such spending each year. This year’s budget includes $4.8 million for “miscellaneous current expenses,” which includes funding for the community groups. It’s a way for elected officials to fund what they say are worthy programs.

Council members clearly are uncomfortable with the idea of reneging on funding for those groups.