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City To Cut 20 Workers In Construction Division

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By CHRISTIAN M. WADE

cwade@tampatrib.com

Published: March 13, 2009

TAMPA - The city plans to lay off another 20 employees over the next several months.

In a memo to the city council, Cynthia Miller, director of the city's Growth Management and Development Services Department, attributed the need to reduce the work force to a substantial decline in permit-related revenue for the construction services division.

"Our workload has dropped by approximately 25 percent from last year and this series of jobs cuts reflects this unprecedented downturn," Miller wrote to council members. "If the economic downturn continues into next year, further jobs cuts may be necessary."

The employees will receive termination notices between now and June, Miller said. The positions range from unit supervisors to entry-level workers.

Payroll and benefits make up the largest percentage of the city's strained general fund, and the city has reduced its work force by more than 8 percent during the past two years.
Mayor Pam Iorio has said the city faces a projected $35 million shortfall next year.
City officials have been trying to avoid large-scale layoffs by eliminating vacant positions and have asked department heads to determine what current openings can go without filling.

Reporter Christian M. Wade can be reached at (813) 259-7679.

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