County workers face pay cut, 7 layoffs
Last Updated on 3/18/2010
Published on 6/12/2009
By Tim Callahan
Timcallahan01@aol.com
No tax increase for county residents could mean layoffs for seven county government workers and three percent pay cuts for all 580 county employees.
Georgetown County Council's second reading of a proposal to make up a projected $1.7 million 2010 fiscal year shortfall in the proposed $58.1 million budget passed unanimously Tuesday.
However, a third reading, after a public notice is issued, is required to approve the plan. The third reading by council will be June 23, County Administrator Sel Hemingway said.
A total of 28 positions would be eliminated through unfilled vacancies, retirements and cutting down some positions from full-time to part-time, County Councilman Glen O'Connell confirmed Thursday. Combined with the pay cut, these actions will save the county $1.15 million.
The specific positions being affected are being kept close to the vest by council and Hemingway until all the employees affected have been informed.
However, Greg Troutman, human resources director, said the proposal is that five new jobs would be created, three employees would retire, five employees would be moved into vacated positions, five employees would go from full-time work to part-time, and seven employees would be laid off.
O'Connell said it is "unfortunate" that people's positions would be affected but "government isn't any different than any other business. We have to work within our means."
Troutman said that employees laid off would get accrued unused time and a severance package of one month's pay. Employees would be eligible to apply for unemployment benefits, he said.
O'Connell said, with 580 county employees, he actually thought there would be more people affected than there were.
"The administration tried every possible way to save money and not affect individuals," he said. "A lot of thought and effort has been made to come up with the best, and most compassionate, way we could possibly do this."
O'Connell added that about 70 percent of the county budget is labor-related costs. Taking this into account, he said, the impact is not near as great as it may appear.
"We are all concerned about employees," O'Connell said. "We will do what we can to help them find alternatives."
Tapping into the general fund reserve for $174,000 and cuts and changes in a few other budget items, totaling a $391,275 reduction, are also needed to balance the Hemingway said Tuesday. He was out of the office Thursday and not available for comment.
