Toledo leaders planning to lay off 45 in January

12/10/2008

Toledo Mayor Carty Finkbeiner said Wednesday that 45 city workers will be laid off to save money in 2009.

Mr. Finkbeiner said the notices likely would go out next week, and would give the recipients 30-day notices.

He told reporters at a news conference that the affected jobs are throughout city government, but do not involve uniformed police or firefighters.

Mr. Finkbeiner said his administration has begun conversations with city unions about concessions or give-backs in 2009 that he said could save the "vast majority" of those jobs if the unions agree. He said he s received no word back yet.

The layoffs would help save a nearly $3 million deficit that still needs to be closed in the 2009 budget, which city council could vote on at its first regular meeting in the new year on Jan. 6.

"We re awfully lean in this city compared with other cities," Mr. Finkbeiner said.

Mayor Finkbeiner announced last month the city would hire no new police officers or firefighters for 2009 to save about $5.3 million toward the needed $21 million in cutbacks built into next year s general operating fund budget.