WTOL.com, Toledo's News Leader, News 11 | Lucas County Commissioners approve 20 layoffs

Lucas County Commissioners approve 20 layoffs

Report by Rob Wiercinski - email | bio

Posted by LS

LUCAS COUNTY (WTOL) -The struggling economy is taking its toll on Lucas county's financial picture.

"Sales tax alone... People are not buying cars. They're not buying refrigerators. They're not buying the large ticket items," says Lucas County Commissioner Tina Skeldon Wozniak.

She adds, "Housing 'starts' and house sales are down, so that's really making a difference in building inspections."

To offset a drop in revenues, the commissioners on Tuesday approved some job cuts.

A total of 20 county employees will be laid off effective January 1. This includes eight from the department of Child Support Enforcement and five from Building Regulations. "We're looking at our options to reduce costs. The Board of County Commissioners in '09 will reduce another 15 percent," says Wozniak.

Here are the proposed layoffs:

Non-bargaining Unit

• 1 clerical specialist in OMB
• 1 clerk in Administration
• 1 fiscal specialist in OMB
• 1 economic development manager
• 1 maintenance supervisor in Facilities
• 1 commercial plans examiner

T&S Bargaining Unit

• 1 purchasing specialist
• 1 permit specialist in building regulations
• 2 certified inspector
• 1 electrical safety inspector

CSEA Bargaining Unit

• 1 accountant
• 3 payment processors
• 1 lead account clerk
• 1 receptionist
• 1 clerk (scanning)
• 1 clerk (filing)

Laws & Bargaining Unit

• 1 attorney

Lucas County has been decreasing its staff since 2003. Commissioner departments alone have gone from 1,124 full-time employees to a proposed 819 full-time employees in the 2009 budget.

$450,000 for windows

The county building on Adams St. is a source of frustration for Commissioner Ben Konop. He's blasting his colleagues for moving ahead with a $450,000 window replacement project on the same day layoffs were approved. "We're taking money that could go to retrain workers, put people to work, save our own workers' jobs and deliver services in Lucas County -- to put in windows," says Konop.

LCIC

The commissioners had a full chamber to discuss funding future job creation efforts through the Lucas County Improvement Corporation (LCIC).

Under consideration is a plan to raise the real estate transfer fee from $3 to $4 for every $1,000 of property value.

Commissioners heard from people for and against the raise.

"I just think it's a terrible time to do it... sends a bad message. The best way to do economic development in Lucas County is to get rid of more taxes," says Rob Ludeman.

Vincent Smith believes in the LCIC. "I'm a veteran, and I'm a veteran entrepreneur. I've only found support in moving my concept for veterans businesses through the LCIC."