When visitors saw a stack of newspapers outside the Riverside building Friday they knew it was the first of furloughs.
A sign outside the front of the building explained the reason for the closure. The shortage of money due to the economy is taking a toll across SoCal.
Many people that arrived Friday morning to find the facility closed were unhappy.
"I am very disappointed. I drove in from Palm Springs to pay taxes. I was with friends and was late. When I came here to pay it off I found that the offices are closed," said San Diego resident Lou Rothman.
"I had to wake up two to three hours early to get here because I live really far. From here now I have to go to work," said Victorville resident Elizabeth Flores.
"Everybody's hours are getting cut back. My hours got cut. I guess it is going on everywhere," said Riverside resident Grant Otto.
It is estimated that 7,500 county employees had to take the mandatory day off. The county is facing a $130 million gap in this year's budget.
However, not all county governments are affected. Sgt. Dennis Gutierrez works for the Riverside County Sheriff's Department and he says that they are working.
"All public safety will not be affected," said Sgt. Gutierrez.
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