Bullhead first to city in county to lay off

Bullhead City has become the first governmental agency in Mohave County to announce layoffs as a result of the ongoing budget crisis.

In a Feb. 14 memo, Bullhead City Manager Tim Ernster directed department heads to identify positions that can be eliminated without reducing service levels to the public.

“Things to consider may include redistributing work assignments, areas where workload has declined, and productivity levels. The employees in those positions to be eliminated will be laid off,” Ernster wrote.

He also said he expected to layoff a minimum of eight employees, one each in the city manager, city clerk, finance, public work and parks & recreation departments and three in development services.

Ernster encouraged laid off employees to re-apply for work within the city and in positions that may be open or temporary openings. He also suggested opting for voluntary early retirement.

Early retirees could received compensation in two ways: regular pay with normal deductions for two pay periods or one lump sum of $4,124, which is the equivalent of three months of family coverage health benefits (COBRA).

Ernster also directed department heads to implement new, reduced workweek schedules for non-exempt employees.

The layoffs are expected to save the city about $120,000. The city faces a $4 million deficit and has already implemented about $3.3 million in cuts.

Each of the other governmental agencies in Mohave County is facing a budget shortfall and all have implemented hiring freezes. Darryle Purcell, spokesman for Mohave County, said there’s been no talk of layoffs at the county level.

“The last thing I’ve heard is the freeze is working. It’s doing exactly what (Finance Director) John Timko said it would do,” Purcell said.

In October the county announced a hiring freeze was in place for all open positions except those involving public safety, such as Sheriff’s deputies, jail guards and Department of Public Health nurses.

The Board of Supervisors adopted the 2007-08 budget at a total of $290.6 million, with almost $89 million making up the general fund. Officials are projecting that revenues will run about $6 million short.

Lake Havasu City officials said they have not implemented an official hiring freeze but have delayed filling most vacancies except for essential services.

Kingman is operating similarly to Lake Havasu City, said acting City Manager Fire Chief Chuck Osterman

“Currently, it depends on position, but we do have somewhat of one. The manager’s office has to approve the hiring,” Osterman said. “Essentially, there is one unless the manager feels it is an essential position, like police or fire.”

Maricopa County officials have also implemented a hiring freeze, leaving 900 of the county’s 14,700 positions open, and eliminating another 64 vacant full-time positions. Maricopa County is facing a $32 million deficit this year.

And on Thursday Gov. Janet Napolitano announced that all executive branch agencies would operate under a hiring freeze. The exceptions are public safety and health and agencies and departments that collect or invest state revenues.

Bullhead City’s layoffs are not the first in the state. In January Prescott announced the layoff of two city building safety division workers and seven already vacant positions had been frozen. Prescott expects to take in about $1.4 million less than projected in the 2007-2008 budget because of decreases in sales tax, state-shared revenue, and building fees.

You may contact the reporter at dbell@havasunews.com.