RIO GRANDE CITY – Starr County is facing financial hardships. Officials said the county's general fund is $700,000 below where it was a year ago.

The county budgeted revenues for $800,000 coming in from 8-Liner permit sales this fiscal year. But they missed that mark by more than half after the county shut down permit sales. 

"The general fund is to fund all of the departments," said Starr County Judge Eloy Vera. "Whether it's the tax collector, my office, the judge's offices, the district clerk, the county clerk, it goes into all departments."

Luis Trevino loves few things more than his home, Rio Grande City. He said he sees what 8-liners mean to people in the community. 

"I personally don't gamble or anything like that but people who do, I think that they need it. They need something to go out distract themselves instead of being at home all day because there's no jobs around," said Trevino.

The money is used for salaries of county employees and operational costs. The sheriff's and judicial offices then draw from the general fund. 

"The county needs the money," said Trevino. "There's no argument the county does need the money. The people in the county need the money too!"

The county is short $1.3 million in total funds.

Revenue from Duke Energy abatements are still pending a judge's decision in court. County officials said the county is taking out a $1.5 million loan to make it through the tough financial times.