TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - The city of Topeka is looking to cut more than 30 jobs next year to deal with a $5 million budget deficit resulting from efforts to slow the spread of the new coronavirus.
Topeka City Manager Brent Trout on Tuesday proposed cutting 32 full-time position and reducing at least one position to part time in 2021. The mayor and City Council will consider the proposal before finalizing the budget in August.
Public works director Jason Peek recommended reducing his department’s workforce alone by 14 jobs, the Capital-Journal reported.
The proposed cuts come as reduced sales tax revenues caused by businesses shutting down or cutting back to prevent the spread of COVID-19 have left the city struggling to balance its budget for this year.
Trout has already furloughed 147 non-union employees and eliminated jobs held by deputy city manager Doug Gerber, neighborhood relations director Sasha Haehn and emergency management coordinator Jim Green in an effort to deal with the current year’s deficit. The city anticipates using between $1.9 million and $7.2 million from its reserve fund to balance this year’s budget.
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