Mayor Gavin Newsom
File photo by Luke Thomas
From the Office of Mayor Gavin Newsom
April 2, 2008
Mayor Gavin Newsom today announced the elimination of 301 city government positions. These job reductions will save an estimated $29 million in FY 08-09. Of the positions eliminated, 41 are administrative and management positions.
“We are facing some of the toughest decisions we have to make in order to balance the $338 million budget deficit,” said Mayor Newsom. “These cuts do not mean a reduction in city services. But make no mistake, we will have to propose additional position reductions in the budget and these will result in layoffs in the coming months.”
No “pink slips” are being issued with the elimination of the 301 positions, as most of these positions are currently vacant. While some positions are currently occupied, those individuals will be absorbed into other vacant jobs. In order to ensure the most efficient implementation of future additional job cuts, positions will be eliminated at one set time to reduce the effect of “bumping” – the displacement of civil service employees when positions are eliminated – which can be disruptive to employees and the City’s ability to provide services.
The single largest source of savings, approximately 200 positions, will be eliminated as part of the census reduction at Laguna Honda Hospital. Due to the planned closure of Clarendon Hall in July, there will be a reduction in the capacity from 1050 to 935 beds and thus staffing reductions. The Recreation and Park Department will eliminate 23 vacant positions, including 16 unfilled gardener positions and 7 unfilled maintenance staff positions. The Human Services Agency is eliminating 28 positions, primarily from CalWorks (9 positions) and Family and Children Services (10 positions).
Departments submitted numerous potential positions to cut in response to Mayor Newsom’s directive for 8% salary reductions, and many will be have to be ultimately eliminated in order to balance the budget. However, the process of analyzing potential cuts and the impact on services is ongoing.
Departments that are not represented on the list of eliminations may experience additional position reductions in the upcoming budget.
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