Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson has announced plans to close city offices and furlough non-essential employees for three days in an effort to manage the city’s projected $20 million budget shortfall.
City offices will be closed on Dec. 26, the Friday after the Christmas holiday; Jan. 2, the Friday after the New Year’s Day holiday; and May 1, Oaks Day. City offices are closed on Christmas Day and New Years Day, which are paid city holidays for employees.
Public safety agencies – including essential personnel in police, fire, EMS and corrections – and garbage collection crews will be staffed. All other departments will be closed.
“These are three days that will have the least impact on both citizens and employees,” Abramson said.
The furloughs will save the city approximately $2 million.
Abramson also announced that he and the city’s top leadership team will take a 10 percent pay cut starting Jan. 1, 2009 – a move that will save about $200,000.
The city has also implemented a hiring freeze and restrictions on travel and discretionary spending.
While the closings and pay cuts will make a difference in the city’s ability to balance the budget, Abramson said the possibility of layoffs still remains.
Add Comment