NEWPORT BEACH : Council to Vote on City Worker Layoffs

The City Council is scheduled to vote tonight on a proposal to lay off seven employees and eliminate 30 positions in an effort to deal with a $3-million shortfall in the city’s budget.

The layoffs would cover all areas of the city, from the police force and Building Department to the planning and community services sections.

If approved, the cuts would bring to 86 the number of city positions that have been eliminated in the past four years, representing 11.3% of Newport Beach’s overall work force.

“You can’t do that and keep the level of service exactly the same,” City Manager Kevin J. Murphy conceded.

The latest round of cuts will allow the city to avoid raising taxes or making big cuts in city services, Murphy said.

City officials blamed the $3-million 1994-95 budget shortfall on cuts in state funding and a sluggish economy.

Murphy said more cuts might be needed if the state further reduces its funding to the city.

The seven employees facing layoffs were notified in February. If the council approves the layoffs, they will be off the city payroll in early May. Other employees whose jobs were targeted decided to take early retirement.

Under the proposal, the Police Department will lose eight positions and the Fire Department five.

The City Council in May will get its first look at the 1994-95 general fund budget, which is expected to top $59 million.