Garden Grove Journal
Budget cutbacks that could total $3.2 million and cut the jobs of as many as 70 employees will be considered Monday by the Westminster City Council.
When the council meets at 7 p.m. at the Council Chambers, 8200 Westminster Blvd., the members will be faced with prospect of having to cut deeply to reduce or eliminate a projected general fund deficit of $3.3 million for 2012-13.
About 60 percent of the budget is devoted to personnel, and the preliminary recommendation is to lay off 32 full-time and 38 part-time employees, which is 14 percent of the city’s full-time work force and 25 percent of its part-time workers.
While a list of the positions proposed to be eliminated will be made public Monday afternoon, none of them will be among sworn police officers.
In addition to the staff cuts, the council will be asked also to eliminate the city’s energy committee, advisory committee for the disabled and the youth committee.
Westminster’s financial troubles, rooted in the effects of the Great Recession and the state’s ending of redevelopment agencies are reflected in recent actions by other area cities. Last week, the Stanton City Council voted to cut $877,000 from its budget and eliminate 20 jobs (full- and part-time) as well as close two parks and shutter most recreation programs.
