Cary eliminates three positions; layoffs could be next

Citing the faltering economy, Cary village officials have axed three vacant positions and one program. And if the economy continues to sour, layoffs could follow.

"I think the reality is that may come, too," said Village Administrator Cameron Davis. "It's trying times all over."

The elimination of the jobs - posts for an entry-level public works employee, a patrol officer and police assistant - occurred through attrition, Davis said.

Officials also terminated the administrative intern program, which the village offered for nearly four years to graduate students enrolled in Northern Illinois University's public administration program.

Those cuts combined are expected to save $200,000, Davis said.

The village board approved the cuts last month as part of the 2009-10 budget calendar.

Revenues aren't down. But they're flat. As costs go up, the village's cash flow isn't keeping pace, Davis said.

Things were different six years ago when 87 full-time employees worked for the village.

Today, by eliminating positions through attrition, the number has dropped to 73.

"We have downsized over the years; we are a very lean organization," Davis said.

Salaries and benefits comprise 70 percent of the village's annual budget - the $7.7 million general fund covers personnel and other ongoing expenses.

"If we need to cut expenditures further, we would need to take the next step, and that would be layoffs," Davis said.

"We have to have balanced budgets, and personnel - and the benefits that come with personnel - are big-ticket items in our budget."

Cary would not be the first town to turn to layoffs in these tough times.

In November, Elgin showed 16 employees the door in order to cut costs. The overall plan involved eliminating 54 positions through attrition, layoffs and early retirements.

Meanwhile, Fox River Grove officials report that because they already operate within their means, they are not thinking about wiping out positions or programs or eliminating any of its 31 full-time staffers.

"We are not experiencing the cutbacks because we never had any additional personnel we could afford to hire," Village Administrator Art Osten said.