County Gives Early Notice of Layoffs to Employees : Economy: Officials estimate that about 10% of the work force could be cut in an effort to balance the budget.

Moving to give county workers advance warning, Ventura County officials have started issuing early layoff notices to employees whose jobs will be eliminated because of the county’s budget crisis.

On Tuesday, Auditor-Controller Thomas Mahon informed six employees--from clerks to high-level technicians--that they will be losing their jobs.

Last week, county Personnel Director Ronald Komers told seven of his workers that their positions might be cut. He said he plans to give six of the employees formal notice next week.

Both men said they have not yet decided when the layoffs will become effective, but they want to give the employees as much advance notice as possible.

“We are trying to make a very difficult situation as easy as possible for the employees involved,” Mahon said. “By starting early, it gives us more flexibility in dealing with the people and helping them secure jobs. We don’t want to wait until June and say, ‘Here’s two weeks notice; you’re out the door.’ ”

More layoffs are expected in other areas of county government in the weeks ahead.

County officials estimate that 600 jobs and unfilled positions, about 10% of the county’s work force, could be slashed as officials struggle to balance the budget for next year. Prospect of the layoffs has left many workers uneasy.

“It’s synonymous to knowing you have cancer and just waiting to die,” said one county employee, who asked not to be identified. “Everyone is down.”

Two weeks ago, members of the Board of Supervisors told department heads that they must trim staff, cut services or take other steps to reduce their already tight budgets by up to 12.5% next year in an effort to help offset a $36-million loss in state funding.

Last year, the county was forced to cut 200 positions and reduce numerous areas of service to offset a $10-million cut in state funding.

County executives have been encouraged to slice their spending now so that they will not have to face deeper reductions when the new fiscal year starts July 1.

“Everyone is coming up with their own strategy to meet the 12.5% cut,” county Chief Administrative Officer Richard Wittenberg said. “The quicker everyone deals with the percentage cuts . . . the less interruptions in service will occur.”

Steve Wood, a senior county planner and president of the 1,800-member Service Employees Union Local 998, said employee morale has plummeted.

“I think this is the worst year that we have had so far,” he said. “We probably will be expecting more layoff announcements within the next three weeks. (The officials) are doing more than just crying wolf this time.”

Among the employees who received layoff notices Tuesday was Michael Musca, an auditor who ran unsuccessfully for a seat on the Ventura County Community College District board of trustees last year. Musca has two young children and a pregnant wife.

“I’m sitting here with my family and we are regrouping,” Musca said when reached at home.

Supervisor Maggie Kildee said she wished that the county had another alternative to layoffs, but she did not see a choice.

“It’s a terrible situation for those people to be in,” Kildee said. “But $36 million is a big hit.”

Supervisor Vicky Howard said she was pleased that employees were at least receiving early notice.

“I know if I were on a layoff list, I would want to know as soon as possible so I could start looking for another job,” she said.

“It’s a sad thing when you get into cutting positions like this. But our economy is bad; everyone knows that. We are all trying to do the best we can.”