CLEVELAND – Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson released details of the previously announced layoffs for city workers during a news conference Monday morning.
A total of 466 positions are being cut — 321 current positions and 145 unfilled positions. Of the positions currently filled, 275 are full-time, 1 is part-time and 45 are seasonal.
The cuts are affecting every city department, safety services included. Here is a breakdown of the cuts affecting currently held positions:
– 81 police officers
– 42 cadets (will be allowed to graduate, but then will be immediately laid off)
– Police demotions: 4 sergeants
– 51 firefighters
– Fire demotions: 4 battalion chiefs, 3 captains, 10 lieutenants
– 6 employees in building and housing (5 full-time, 1 part-time)
– 17 in public affairs, finance & law
– 79 public works employees (34 full-time, 45 seasonal)
– Municipal court: 37 in judicial, 8 in clerk of court
During a news conference Monday, Mayor Frank Jackson said the cuts are due to a lack of flexibility in the state’s proposed budget, which had been used during the past five years to balance the city’s budget. Jackson said the state’s proposed budget imposes a $35.7 million deficit on the city.
Here are the public services that will be affected by the cuts:
– Police: Reduction in number of 1-officer and 2-officer neighborhood patrols
– Fire: Close 5 of the 40 fire companies (note: fire companies are not the same as fire stations)
– Public works: Relies on seasonal employees to handle seasonal service delivery
– Waste collection: Trash will still be collected weekly, but collection will be delayed during the day
– Waste collection: Bulk item pick up will be delayed from same-day to 3 to 4 days
– Waste collection: Delays in dead animal collection, public receptacle service downtown and in neighborhoods, special event cleanup, recycling drop-off location service
– Streets: Scaled back maintenance of crack sealing program
– Streets: Main street sweeping reduced from 6 sweeps to 2 sweeps
– Streets: Elimination of leaf pickup
– Streets: Will NOT significantly reduce the level of snow removal service
– Recreation: 20 playgrounds will be unstaffed — only playgrounds attached to recreation centers will be staffed
– Recreation: Lunch program will only be available at rec centers and staffed playgrounds
– Recreation: Outdoor pools will be be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, regardless of temperature
– Recreation: Recreation centers will close on Saturdays
– Public works: Reduction in 2nd shift emergency traffic light repairs
– Public works: Street painting will be delayed by two months
– Public works: Fewer trees will be trimmed at parks, delayed response to storm damage
– Public works: Reduction in routine ground maintenance and snow operations at parks.
