Richmond aims to reassign nine to avoid layoffs

Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones' administration is looking to reassign nine employees to avoid layoffs as part of next year's budget.

As the City Council was adopting a budget for fiscal 2009-10 last week, officials were checking the number of filled positions to be cut and reiterating their commitment to avoid or at least minimize layoffs.

The nine employees affected by the job cuts will be able to apply for 200 positions that are vacant and funded under next year's $630 million budget, which takes effect July 1.

The budget represents a reduction of about $25 million from the current year's spending plan.

"Human resources is working to place people in appropriate positions," said Tammy D. Hawley, press secretary to Jones. Reassignments aren't certain because "there is a need to line up skills with positions, as well."

The nine positions include three in the real estate assessor's office, two each in human resources and community development, and one each in the library and public works, Hawley said.

Overall, the city is cutting nearly 140 positions - most of them vacant - from its payroll. The budget reduces the number of nonschool, full-time-equivalent positions from 5,108.6 to 4,969.94.

Contact Will Jones at (804) 649-6911 or .