Aurora lays off eight more city employees

Eight more city employees were laid off Friday in Aurora as officials continue trying to offset major revenue declines and balance their proposed 2010 budget.

The latest round of departures brings to 80 the number of Aurora employees who have been laid off or accepted voluntary buyouts since summer.

Assistant Chief of Staff Carie Anne Ergo said Friday's layoffs are expected to save more than $400,000.

"We have been upfront about the city's financial projections and believe all our employee groups understand the gravity of the situation," Mayor Tom Weisner said in a written statement.

Five of the eight employees laid off Friday were part-time workers and all eight were part of executive or nonexempt classifications.

Ergo said the city has asked its six unions for concessions to help offset projected budget shortfalls that could reach $19 million next year without reductions in operating costs.

Two of those unions - AFSCME Local 1514 and the management end of the city's fire department - have agreed to new pacts that include salary freezes for next year and, in some cases, unpaid furlough days.

The fire management union includes 29 people covering the ranks of captain, battalion chief, assistant chief and fire marshal. AFSCME Local 1514 includes 130 public works and water and sewer maintenance employees.

Ergo said talks are continuing with four other unions representing police officers, police administrators, firefighters and AFSCME Local 3208.

The city council's finance committee is scheduled to begin reviewing the proposed budget on Tuesday, Nov. 24, and that spending plan - which still was being finalized Friday - assumes concessions from the four remaining groups will be in place by year's end.

Ergo said last year's budget, including capital expenditures, was around $425 million. The general fund - roughly 82 percent of which involves personnel costs - was roughly $155 million.

The city's first round of staff cuts came over the summer when 36 employees accepted voluntary buyouts. Thirty-six more employees were laid off in September.

The city had roughly 1,100 workers before the cuts began.

Officials said the city continues to offer counseling services for departing employees.