There have been weeks of distressing news about layoffs and furloughs in business and now a local municipality will do the same.
The city of Monmouth announced mandatory furloughs Thursday for seven full-time and three part-time employees.
Positions being furloughed include 2 full-time police officers, 2 full-time dispatch telecommunicators, 1 public safety officer, 2 probationary firefighters, and three part-time dispatchers.
They add that these moves are a “direct result” of anticipated budget shortfalls due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s stay-at-home order, which was extended through May on Thursday.
In a news release, they explain the city receives about $4.1 million annually in state shared revenues, as well as local sales tax that is distributed by the state before being disbursed to the city. It’s anticipated those revenues have shrunk significantly in recent weeks.
Monmouth expects a budget shortfall of $1 million and left to reduce expenses they had to turn to labor costs, which are 90 percent of all operating costs.
Additionally the city says all operations that aren’t critical services have been temporarily suspended.
