NORFOLK, Va. (AP) - The Virginia city of Norfolk is laying off 57 people because of budget cuts related to the coronavirus pandemic.
WAVY-TV reported Monday that their employment will end on Dec. 31.
City spokeswoman Lori Crouch said the employees come from several departments across the city. Several people whom WAVY spoke to said they worked in Parks and Recreation.
Norfolk’s City Council had forecasted a $40 million shortfall in its 2020-21 budget due to COVID-19. Council members had approved opening only five of the city’s 18 recreation centers and three anchor libraries.
Crouch said the people who are losing their jobs are part of a group of 78 full-time employees who were furloughed in July.
The 57 laid-off employees will get a payout of unused leave as well as severance. Severance payments range from $2,500 to more than $20,000, depending on how much leave an employee has and how long he or she has worked for the city.
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