Budget plan calls for 35 layoffs in Chesapeake

CHESAPEAKE

About 35 city workers could lose their jobs this year as part of a proposed budget unveiled Tuesday by City Manager William Harrell.

If the council approves the proposal in May, the layoffs will be spread across various city departments.

The department that will probably take the biggest hit is a division that provides services to the city's most vulnerable children, families and senior citizens. Human services could lose up to 18 positions through layoffs and the elimination of vacant jobs as part of nearly $1 million in proposed cuts.

No police officers or firefighters would lose their jobs under the proposed budget, which details about $19.6 million in cuts to general-fund spending. But in the upcoming year, residents may notice reduced walk-in hours at neighborhood police precincts and increased ambulance wait times for non-life-threatening emergencies, city officials said.

Council members got their first look at the proposed budget Tuesday and were impressed that Harrell was able to cut millions of dollars from the general fund while minimizing layoffs.

"I think everyone has worked as hard as they can to spread the pain," Councilwoman Patricia Willis said. "It is painful, and people will lose jobs. If the money isn't there, we can't keep the same services."

If the proposed budget is approved May 11, it would mean Chesapeake would be laying off employees for the second time in a year. All other South Hampton Roads cities avoided cutting general-wage workers last year, although some are talking more seriously about layoffs this year.

In total, 74 Chesapeake jobs would be eliminated, with about half being vacant positions, Harrell said. He said the layoffs and job eliminations will amount to about $5.7 million in savings. Because employees have not been told, the manager would not specify which jobs will be cut. Harrell said officials will try to find other city jobs for those who are laid off.

Chesapeake's budget gap is driven mostly by declining real estate tax revenue and $6.7 million in state cuts.

Outside agencies that receive city money, such as the Chesapeake Jubilee, could get about 10 percent less from Chesapeake this year. The city is also considering two furlough days for employees.

Some departments will be changing the way they operate.

The department of Development & Permits, for instance, will begin prioritizing projects, giving quicker attention to the most critical development and inspection needs.

The Fire Department intends to change the way it responds to certain calls. Instead of sending a traditional $770,000 fire vehicle to a paramedic call, the department wants to send a $20,000 vehicle that resembles an SUV.

The public will have a chance to comment on the proposed budget on April 27 and May 11.

Mike Saewitz, (757) 222-5207, mike.saewitz@pilotonline.com