Jackson begins layoffs to balance budget
Jackson laid off 28 city employees Wednesday in preparation of creating a balanced budget for 2017. Jackson Mayor Tony Yarber indicated early on in the budgeting process that the city will be impacted by layoffs in the new fiscal year.
"It's highly likely that some city employees will find themselves in the crosshairs," Yarber said in an initial budget meeting.
But the final budget has not been approved, so it appears the administration chose employees to terminate based on a list given to the Jackson City Council several days ago. That list suggested cuts to 47 currently filled positions: five in administration, 13 in Human and Cultural Services, two in the fire department, eight in the planning department, two in personnel, 10 in Parks and Recreation, one in constituent services and another six general government positions.
"Although the budget has not been voted on yet, it was their interpretation of the rules that they had to let these people go before the end of the fiscal year to make sure the books balanced," said Councilman Melvin Priester, adding that the city believes it must give a 30-day notice to the workers.
Read more: http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/local/2016/08/31/jackson-begins-layoffs-balance-bugdet/89671910/