CYPRESS : City Fills Budget Gap, Ends Hiring Freeze

Saying the city’s finances are back on track, the City Council has unanimously agreed to lift a seven-month hiring freeze.

City Manager Darrell Essex, who recommended the action last week, reported that since going into effect, the freeze has saved the city about $300,000 in both salary and benefits, enough to help fill the existing budget gap.

“We’ve balanced the shortfall, and I think at this time we are able to consider terminating the hiring freeze,” Essex told the council.

The action was approved in June to help close a $400,000 budget shortfall. Several positions remained open throughout the period, including both full- and part-time spots. However, the council agreed to allow three key posts in the Public Works Department to be filled, including the job of assistant city engineer.

During a midyear review of the city’s finances, staff discovered that the budget gap had been closed and that in fact the city is posting a $300,000 gain, Essex said.

Personnel Director Gary Bacock said the city will begin recruiting for the vacancies, which include nine full-time and four temporary positions. Three of the available jobs are police officer spots, but Bacock said his office has a jump on filling them. “We are well into that process,” he said.

The council expressed relief that the freeze was over, but some members cautioned about getting too optimistic about the future.

“I think we accomplished what we set out do--to save the city money,” Councilman Walter K. Bowman said. “But I think we need to look at what is a full staff.”