Reduction in force affects seven departments
Saturday, April 24, 2010, 8:19pm
By the end of the day on Tuesday, 24 City of Belen employees were laid off to help close the gap in a projected $3.2-million deficit.
The reduction in force will save the city nearly $1 million annually but means some departments now have to operate with fewer employees.
The recreation department was reduced by six employees: five specialists and a recreation leader. The department has one employee remaining. The Belen Community Center’s operating hours have changed in response to the cuts.
The parks department was reduced by four employees: three maintenance specialists and a laborer. The department has one employee remaining.
The Belen Public Library was reduced by four employees: four technicians. The library has four employees remaining. The library’s operating hours have changed in response to the cuts.
The police department was reduced by three employees: a security officer, an animal control officer and a records clerk. The department has 24 employees remaining.
The fire department was reduced by three employees: two firefighters/EMTs and a firefighter. The department has five employees remaining, as well as daytime and nighttime volunteers and mutual aid from Valencia County firefighters.
The maintenance department was reduced by two employees: a maintenance specialist and a laborer.
The solid waste department was reduced by one employee: a compliance officer. The department has no employees remaining, but most of the department is operated by Waste Management, a company on contract with the city to pick up residential and commercial solid waste.
The water department was reduced by one employee: a laborer. The department has seven employees remaining.
The municipal court, Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), streets department, wastewater department, planning and zoning department, finance department and other city hall staff weren’t affected by cuts.
Mayor Rudy Jaramillo met with the remaining employees on Wednesday to discuss the cuts and to begin working to ensure the continuation of city services.
