BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - North Dakota’s top budget writer says 158 employees from cabinet-level agencies in state government have been approved for voluntary buyouts.
Budget director Pam told members of House and Senate appropriations committees Wednesday that the severances will cost the state about $3 million.
In April, Republican Gov. Doug Burgum gave 17 agency heads the option to offer buyouts to employees. In a letter drafted by Burgum’s office, agencies told employees the buyouts might limit the need for layoffs.
Sharp says 200 people applied for the buyouts, but it was up to the agencies to determine which buyouts were accepted.
The options for the buyouts ranged from a lump-sum payout of three months’ salary to accepting no pay but staying on the state’s health insurance plan for a year.
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