Around the Arch Blog

Thirty union represented positions identified as part of the City of Reno’s reduction in force have passed the Civil Service review process and affected staff members were notified today. On Tuesday (1/12/10), 12 non-union employees were notified that they were among those who were being laid off. Forty-two staff members in total were given notice this week to help reduce the $6 million budget shortfall projected for this year.

In addition, 22 open positions have been frozen and two other staff members have notified the City they will retire, bringing the total force reduction to 66 positions across all funds. The reduction in force was authorized at the Council special session held January 8, 2010.

These cuts come on top of wage and benefit concessions made by staff coming into this fiscal year, due to worse than expected revenue losses. The City reduced its budget by $5.0 million in Fiscal Year 2007-2008, $25.4 million in Fiscal Year 2008-2009 and another $14.0 million for Fiscal Year 2009-2010, with the assistance of employee bargaining units.

With the additional $6 million reduction taking place now, the City has cut more than $50 million from the General Fund over the past three years. Over the same time, almost 300 positions have been either held vacant or eliminated, equaling approximately 17% of the City’s workforce.

Since the savings for these positions will be realized between February and June this fiscal year, the impact on next year is three times as much, possibly saving more than $9 million in Fiscal Year 2010-2011, which begins July 1, 2010.

Civil Service rules provide a ten day appeal process for employees given notice, so the elimination of the following positions will be effective as of February 1, 2010:

Community Development
Inspection Services Supervisor (1)
Public Works Construction Inspector (2)
Combination Inspector (1)

Finance Department
Accountant (1)
Accounting Assistant (2)

Communications & Technology
Information Systems Technician I (1)
Communication Technician (1)
Office Assistant II (1)

Public Works
Custodial Coordinator (1)
Public Works Construction Inspector (1)
Survey Instrument Technician (1)
Administrative Secretary (1)

Fire Department
Fire Prevention Officer (2)
Firefighter (12)
Office Assistant II (2)

Cuts in the Police Department have come through holding an additional 18 unfilled positions open. These positions had been purposefully left unfilled in anticipation of further cuts being necessary this year.

The City Council will continue to look at Fire station staffing scenarios at future Council meetings. At the January 27th Council meeting, new projections for Fiscal Year 2010-2011 will be discussed that reflect new revenue forecasts and the savings projected from this reduction in force.

Tags: council, employees, jobs, public safety

This entry was posted on Friday, January 15th, 2010 at 6:13 pm and is filed under City Council, General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.