FeedsWestland announces layoffs, cost-cutting measures
Hard times are coming to the City of Westland, but Mayor Bill Wild said he hopes to head them off-or at least ease future budgetary pain.
Wild said he was forced to send out a letter this week to the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) union that the city would have to layoff 10 employees from that union this month.
“We think it’ll have little effect on the residents, as far as services go,” said Wild.
The move comes in anticipation of a difficult budget year in which he is forecasting a $3.5 million deficit caused by reduced residential and commercial property values, coupled with reduced state shared revenue and a general increase in other costs.
At current revenue and expense levels, the city would face a deficit as high as $12 million the following year, he said.
He’s also asking all department heads not to allocate any additional spending, including overtime, unless it’s an absolute emergency.
“We’re trying to do some cost savings between now and June 30,” said Wild. “Anything we can save will help us more.”
Laying off the 10 employees would save about $258,000 during that time and more than $1 million annually after that. Cutting down expenses within city departments could save an additional $500,000.
Wild said the city would also close the city golf course, which is currently open to service golf leagues through a golf simulator.
