Unless union concessions are made, the county might lay off more than 800 employees to close an $86 million budget gap.
The stark reality was presented by County Executive Rob Astorino (R-Mt. Pleasant) as he previewed his 2013 budget, which is set to be unveiled next month.
Astorino has pledged to close the budget gap without increasing taxes or using the county”™s reserve fund.
“Here is the stark reality: Our revenues do not keep pace with automatic spending increases,” Astorino said. “The job before us is to figure out a responsible way to maintain services at a cost affordable to taxpayers.”
While Astorino said that laying off 800 employees, or 16 percent of the workforce, was unacceptable, he said help from unions would be needed to curb the gap, including having employees pay a portion of health care costs.
“I am asking ”“ pleading ”“ with the unions and their members: work with me and my team to save jobs,” he said. “Layoffs hurt everybody. Health care contributions can provide significant savings, which can greatly reduce the number of layoffs we are facing.”
Astorino must submit his proposed 2013 budget to the Board of Legislators by Nov. 15. The board then has until Dec. 27 to adopt a final spending plan.
