Elgin lays off 18 workers; no more cuts planned for now

Elgin city officials said 18 union employees were laid off Monday to save $1.2 million in the 2010 budget.

On the public works side, the cuts hit four engineering inspectors, an automotive service worker, cemetery grounds worker and a land management zoo grounds worker, said Sue Olafson, city spokeswoman.

On the clerical/technical side, cutbacks included a: code enforcement paralegal; code enforcement officer; code enforcement technician; parks community outreach specialist; principal account clerk; Hispanic outreach coordinator; two part-time records clerks and three part-time finance clerks.

City leaders have pledged not to raise taxes in an effort to close the budget gap of more than $5.5 million.

The city has had three rounds of layoffs since November 2008, offered early retirement this year and the next, and increased some fees.

But the city is not considering a vehicle sticker program at this time, City Manager Sean Stegall said.

City officials are working with the fire department union to cut $1.5 million in costs for 2010.