AUGUSTA (AP) – Veterans Affairs Medical and Regional Office Center at Togus plans to cut its work force by 50 but the reduction will be made through attrition, not layoffs, officials said.

Veterans’ medical care will not be affected when the staff drops from 1,000 to 950 by Sept. 1, said Jack Sims, the center’s director.

With a budget of about $156 million last fiscal year, Togus was facing a $14.2 million shortfall in mid-January for the current fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30. Sims said he narrowed that gap to less than $7 million by the end of January.

Ron Brodeur, state adjutant for Disabled American Veterans, said Sims faces budget difficulties annually and is always fighting for more money.

“We have a lot of faith in Jack. He’s been here a long time. We’re not complaining about Jack. We’re complaining about the funding,” said Brodeur.

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said she will ask Jim Nicholson, secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, for sufficient funds to keep Togus’ work force intact.

“Any reduction in force at Togus would be contrary to the goals and mission of the VA, particularly given the increased utilization of services with the return of many of our brave servicemen and women who have been serving overseas,” she said.