At the beginning of this month, approximately 130 Santa Barbara County positions were cut to help close a $72 million budget deficit.
Jeri Muth, interim human resources director for the county, said in addition to the pink slips for some current employees, some unfilled positions were also eliminated. However, the total number of employee reductions could go down through attrition.
The axed positions come from 14 different departments, including the sheriff’s, district attorney’s, public works, and general services departments, and are from “a wide spectrum of classifications, from entry-level positions to professional positions,” Muth said.
The reduction in staff will provide $25 million in savings. The remaining $47 million deficit will be closed through a $9 million increase in revenue, one-time funding sources of $25 million, and expenditure account reductions, she said.
Muth said it’s uncertain if more pink slips will be issued.
The current pink slips provide county employees a 30-day notification before the Board of Supervisors holds budget hearings in June. Staff reductions will not be final until the Board approves them.
This article appears in May 12-19, 2011.