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Media General News Service
Media General News Service
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COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Labor department officials said the number of laid-off workers filing claims for unemployment benefits rose this week.
The U.S. Department of Labor said the number of applications for jobless benefits increased to 339,000, and the City of Columbus is now adding to the tally, NBC 4 reported.
City officials unveiled the 2008 budget on Thursday, explaining that there is a $27 million gap between revenue and spending -- and one way to fill that gap is to lay off workers.
Mayor Michael Coleman announced that there will be no new increase in tax to balance the budget, and city officials will continue their commitment to not use rainy day funds.
Instead, Coleman repeatedly referenced what he called belt-tightening -- most commonly in the form of city layoffs.
"We are proposing the layoff of 26 full-time positions, along with 61 vacancies that will not be filled in the city. These layoffs and vacancies will save the city some $5 million, and again, every department will share in the pain," Coleman said.
Coleman added that the divisions of police and fire will receive additional officers and firefighters, although they will lose some non-uniform personnel.
By the end of 2008, Coleman said he plans to add more than 40 police officers to the payroll.
It appears that Columbus Public Health will take one of the largest hits. Under the proposal, six employees will be laid off and 16 vacant full- and part-time positions will remain vacant.
Health officials said it's too early to say what specific positions would be first to go, but they will do whatever they have to if the proposal passes.
"I think that's unfair. We really need to look out for the health and welfare of the people of our city," said Connie Singleton, a concerned resident.
In addition, the department of development and department of finance and management are projected to lose four full-time positions each.
Coleman also suggested shutting down two of the city's nine pools and making the remaining seven free for public use.
Closing two pools would save $100,000, though it's not known which pools would close.
"They should always keep these swimming pools open, something for these kids to do because if you don't have nothing for these kids to do, then they don't have any other choice but to get out into the streets and do the wrong things," said Robert Spraggins, a concerned resident.
While the layoff projections may look dire, Coleman insisted that they are not set in stone, saying a lot can happen before city council members vote on the budget in February.
If revenue increases at the end of the year, as it has historically, jobs could be saved.
But the situation could also worsen because of high gas prices and the economy. Columbus City Council members will spend the next two months examining the proposed budget and will vote on it in February.
Officials said that if layoffs are necessary, no one will lose their job until March at the earliest.
The U.S. Department of Labor said the number of applications for jobless benefits increased to 339,000, and the City of Columbus is now adding to the tally, NBC 4 reported.
City officials unveiled the 2008 budget on Thursday, explaining that there is a $27 million gap between revenue and spending -- and one way to fill that gap is to lay off workers.
Mayor Michael Coleman announced that there will be no new increase in tax to balance the budget, and city officials will continue their commitment to not use rainy day funds.
Instead, Coleman repeatedly referenced what he called belt-tightening -- most commonly in the form of city layoffs.
"We are proposing the layoff of 26 full-time positions, along with 61 vacancies that will not be filled in the city. These layoffs and vacancies will save the city some $5 million, and again, every department will share in the pain," Coleman said.
Coleman added that the divisions of police and fire will receive additional officers and firefighters, although they will lose some non-uniform personnel.
By the end of 2008, Coleman said he plans to add more than 40 police officers to the payroll.
It appears that Columbus Public Health will take one of the largest hits. Under the proposal, six employees will be laid off and 16 vacant full- and part-time positions will remain vacant.
Health officials said it's too early to say what specific positions would be first to go, but they will do whatever they have to if the proposal passes.
"I think that's unfair. We really need to look out for the health and welfare of the people of our city," said Connie Singleton, a concerned resident.
In addition, the department of development and department of finance and management are projected to lose four full-time positions each.
Coleman also suggested shutting down two of the city's nine pools and making the remaining seven free for public use.
Closing two pools would save $100,000, though it's not known which pools would close.
"They should always keep these swimming pools open, something for these kids to do because if you don't have nothing for these kids to do, then they don't have any other choice but to get out into the streets and do the wrong things," said Robert Spraggins, a concerned resident.
While the layoff projections may look dire, Coleman insisted that they are not set in stone, saying a lot can happen before city council members vote on the budget in February.
If revenue increases at the end of the year, as it has historically, jobs could be saved.
But the situation could also worsen because of high gas prices and the economy. Columbus City Council members will spend the next two months examining the proposed budget and will vote on it in February.
Officials said that if layoffs are necessary, no one will lose their job until March at the earliest.