CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Mecklenburg County leaders said they found a way to immediately cut millions of dollars from the county budget.

They plan to trim an average of 15 percent from all county departments. That should save between $17 and $21 million.

County manager Harry Jones said he didn't want to share specifics with the public yet.

"I prefer not to go into detail right now. We've got to massage them, continue to take a look at the numbers, and the next day or so we'll take a look at it," he said.

Jones wants to tell county commissioners about the cuts before telling the public. He said he feels they may want an explanation when they hear certain service cuts.

The county needs to trim $46 million by the end of June because of revenue shortfalls caused by the recession.