By Khalida Sarwari
The Santa Clara City Council on Tuesday night approved a plan to lay off about 82 workers to help close a projected $5 million budget shortfall.
The council voted 6-1 to lay off about 9 percent of the work force across all departments, including fire, libraries, parks and the city manager’s office, if the workers don’t agree to concessions proposed by the city.
Mayor Patricia Mahan cast the dissenting vote.
Deputy City Manager Carol McCarthy said three of the 10 bargaining units that represent the workers have already agreed to the concessions, which include forgoing a scheduled pay increase, and accepting either a 5 percent salary cut or 12 unpaid furlough days.
If the bargaining units don’t reach an agreement by Dec. 9, the layoffs would become effective 30 days later.
“We’re hoping that they come to the table and talk with us,” McCarthy said.
She said that over the last two years, the city has laid off about 100 workers, reduced services and raised fees, but that the city’s revenue is still falling short of covering its expenditures.
“Going to the employees was the last resort,” McCarthy said.