HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) - Huntington Mayor Steve Williams on Thursday announced $2.6 million in budget cuts and the layoffs of nearly 7 percent of the city’s workforce.
In a news release, Williams said the layoffs of 24 employees include 11 police officers and seven firefighters, nearly all of whom were recently hired. In addition, six civilian employees in the police department are being let go.
Williams also ordered a freeze in all hiring and nonessential spending until further notice.
The move addresses a projected $4.8 million budget deficit this fiscal year. It will leave the state’s second-largest city with a $2.2 million deficit.
“These actions will not resolve all of our budget issues,” Williams said. “We know we will be managing our way out of this for the next 18 months with the primary objective of avoiding further reductions in force.
“Our residents expect and deserve world-class service, and as we continue to address these financial constraints, we will implement procedures to ensure this cannot happen again.”
In addition, three police civilian positions are being reassigned. Williams said two will be transferred to the Public Works Department and one will take over the vacant position of executive director of the Department of Planning and Development.
Williams had said he wanted to avoid layoffs. The deficit had just recently been brought to the public’s attention and was caused by increased insurance costs, an unexpected increase in the city’s police and fire pension contributions and overspending in the police and fire departments.
Other cost-saving measures announced Thursday include a reduction or elimination of overtime.
Williams also said the city’s capital improvement budget will be reduced by $1.4 million, including the elimination of a spring paving program. Snow removal, pothole patching and other services will be unaffected.
In addition, changes in the city’s health plan effective April 1 will save a projected $400,000. The city also will continue to be aggressive in the collection of delinquent taxes and fees. So far this fiscal year, more than $1 million has been collected.
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