Published: Saturday, October 24, 2009
Budget issues force eight job cuts in Arlington
City workers agree to layoffs or early retirement, for a savings of $600,000.
ARLINGTON — On top of its unpaid furlough days, unpaid holidays, previous layoffs and unfilled job vacancies, the city this week accepted early retirements and layoff agreements from eight more employees.
Arlington’s current draft of its 2010 general fund budget is running about $1.8 million in the red. The recent retirements and layoffs, though, should mean a savings of about $600,000, city spokeswoman Kristin Banfield said.
Already down about 15 staff positions, city officials are continuing to look for other ways to close the rest of the budget gap, she said.
“If these folks had not voluntarily taken the offers, we would be laying off eight staff people right now. A lot of these people looked at their retirements or layoffs as a way to potentially save somebody else’s job,” Banfield said. “The staff of this city has really stepped up to help shoulder the problems during this recession.”
Those taking the city’s offer of early retirements are Barb Butner, who served the city for more than 30 years in the cemetery, police and fire departments; Ed Erlandson, with more than 25 years in the police department; Jef Forsman, a maintenance worker and former volunteer firefighter with more than 30 years of service; and John Pederson, with more than 20 years in the public works department and also a former volunteer firefighter.
People are receiving a six-week severance package and the offer of health insurance assistance next year, Banfield said.
About 140 people work for the city of Arlington, which has a population of about 17,000.
Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427, gfiege@heraldnet.com.
Crab feast: An “All You Can Eat” Crab Feast is 2 to 4 p.m. Nov. 8 at Nile Temple, 6601 244th St. SW in Mountlake Terrace.
Proceeds benefits the Mountlake Terrace Senior Center. Find music and door prizes. Admission is $25, $15 for children. For more information, call 425-672-2407.
Arlington’s current draft of its 2010 general fund budget is running about $1.8 million in the red. The recent retirements and layoffs, though, should mean a savings of about $600,000, city spokeswoman Kristin Banfield said.
Already down about 15 staff positions, city officials are continuing to look for other ways to close the rest of the budget gap, she said.
“If these folks had not voluntarily taken the offers, we would be laying off eight staff people right now. A lot of these people looked at their retirements or layoffs as a way to potentially save somebody else’s job,” Banfield said. “The staff of this city has really stepped up to help shoulder the problems during this recession.”
Those taking the city’s offer of early retirements are Barb Butner, who served the city for more than 30 years in the cemetery, police and fire departments; Ed Erlandson, with more than 25 years in the police department; Jef Forsman, a maintenance worker and former volunteer firefighter with more than 30 years of service; and John Pederson, with more than 20 years in the public works department and also a former volunteer firefighter.
People are receiving a six-week severance package and the offer of health insurance assistance next year, Banfield said.
About 140 people work for the city of Arlington, which has a population of about 17,000.
Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427, gfiege@heraldnet.com.
Crab feast: An “All You Can Eat” Crab Feast is 2 to 4 p.m. Nov. 8 at Nile Temple, 6601 244th St. SW in Mountlake Terrace.
Proceeds benefits the Mountlake Terrace Senior Center. Find music and door prizes. Admission is $25, $15 for children. For more information, call 425-672-2407.
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