Tuesday, August 03, 2010
Bad economic times have forced local governments to shed jobs, making it tougher for struggling Americans to receive city and county services. Local governments across the United States are expected to eliminate over the next couple of years nearly half a million positions that will impact public safety, public works, public health, social services and parks and recreation, according to a joint report by the National League of Cities, the National Association of Counties and The United States Conference of Mayors. The report collated responses from 214 cities and 56 counties.
Cities have been most likely to cut personnel working in public safety, public works and parks and recreation, while counties are seeing the biggest cuts in public works and social services.
As examples, in Fresno, California, city officials trimmed 16% of all civil servant positions over a two-year period. In Flint, Michigan, more than 25% of all firefighters were laid off and two firehouses were shut down to help close a $15 million budget gap. In Brevard County, Florida, a $125 million budget shortfall will result in laying off 31 sheriff’s deputies.
-Noel Brinkerhoff
Local Governments Cutting Jobs and Services (National League of Cities, National Association of Counties and U.S. Conference of Mayors) (pdf)
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