When economic times were good during most of the past six years, Jefferson County added 40 full-time employees to its payroll and increased the size of county government by more than 15 percent.
Now county commissioners are considering layoffs for up to 15 employees and a host of other dramatic cost-saving measures to remedy a large budget deficit brought about by a slow economy.
Commissioners sent a letter this week to the more than 300 county employees warning them that layoffs could come soon because of the effects of declining revenue, costly voter initiatives and state and federal program cuts.
“There must be a serious reduction in our expenditures, particularly FTEs (full-time equivalent employees), in order to match our cost with our income,” the commissioners wrote.
The county is facing an $800,000 revenue shortfall this year out of a $12.1 million general fund budget. Commissioners stated in their letter than the deficit is equivalent to around 15 full-time employees.
Deputy County Administrator Gary Rowe said cuts could go into effect by July 1 when midyear budget changes are made.
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The rest of this story appears in today’s Peninsula Daily News Jefferson County edition. Click on “Subscribe” to get the PDN delivered to your home or office.
