KMPH Fox 26 Central San Joaquin Valley News Source in Fresno, California Entertainment, News, Sports and Weather | 125 Fresno City Workers To Be Laid-Off By December

125 Fresno City Workers To Be Laid-Off By December

Mayor Ashley Swearengin delivered a tough blow to the Fresno City Council on Thursday.

 During her mid-year budget presentation, Swearengin announced the need to lay-off 125 city workers by December 31st.

  The staff reductions will included 104 non-sworn positions in the Fresno Police Department, and 11 in the Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services (PARCS) Department, three in the city's Call Center, two in the city's Facilities Management, two in the Public Works Department, one in the Downtown and Community Revitalization Department, one in the Mayor/City Manager's office and one in the City Attorney's office. An additional 58 vacant positions are also expected to be affected.

In addition to the lay-off's, the mayor said a total of $27.8 million in cuts will be necessary over the next 18 months, with $4-9 million in cuts possible for 2011 to balance 2012.

The cuts are necessary to help the city's $18 million shortfall.

"Our financial situation is challenging and our options, unfortunately, are limited," Mayor Swearengin said. "However, the cost of doing nothing is far too great. It is imperative that we take immediate action to maintain fiscal stability through the economic downturn and in the dace of increasing retirement costs. That has required us to make some extraordinary difficult but necessary decisions."  

Furloughs will also help with the shortfall, with a mandatory city-wide 40-hour furlough for eligible employees, excluding Fresno Police.

 The Fresno City Fire Department was not as fortunate; Swearengin announced the closure of two fire stations due to the cuts, including stations 10 & 18.

Swearengin was elected as the Mayor of Fresno just a little over a year ago replacing outgoing mayor Alan Autry. She is Fresno's first new mayor in eight years and second female to take the office.

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