TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Hillsborough Building Department May Lose 28 People

ADVERTISEMENT

By MIKE SALINERO

msalinero@tampatrib.com

Published: February 4, 2009

TAMPA - The continuing troubles in Hillsborough County's construction industry have claimed 28 more jobs.

Building officials say they will eliminate 36 positions, 28 of which are filled, because of plunging permit sales.

The job cuts will reduce a $2.75 million shortfall in this year's building department budget by $1 million. The rest of the deficit will be covered by the department's reserve fund and some other savings in operations costs.

County Administrator Pat Bean will ask county commissioners to approve the layoffs today during their scheduled meeting. The commission's written policy states that significant reductions in the Building Services Department reserve fund must be addressed by either cutting costs or raising permit fees.

Without layoffs, "you'd be looking at a 21 percent increase in building fees in order to raise revenues by $1 million," said Lori Hudson, the county communications director. "That's not something the staff is recommending given the condition of the construction market at this time."

This is the third round of layoffs absorbed by the building department since the residential building industry began to sour in 2007. The two previous rounds claimed 72 positions.

"At this point, building services has to contract," Hudson said. "It was always meant to be a department that was fee-based, and it would need to support itself. They have seen a tremendous decrease in permitting, particularly in residential."

The hierarchy of positions slated for elimination run from managers and senior planners to cashiers. If commissioners approve the layoffs, the department will have 81 employees.

Reporter Mike Salinero can be reached at (813) 259-8303.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT