Bullhead City cuts eight jobs

By Neil Young

News West

BULLHEAD CITY - Bullhead City's job freeze has turned into job layoffs. Eight employees have been pink-slipped, according to Steve Johnson, Bullhead City public information officer.

A hiring freeze was announced in October due to a budget shortfall from declining sales tax revenues.

City Manager Tim Ernster ordered that job openings not be filled. He did not rule out layoffs if the situation worsened. A total of $3.3 million was trimmed from the budget at that time.

Now the deficit has grown due to January's disappointing sales tax revenues, forcing city officials to make $1.1 million more in expenditure cuts, reductions in operating costs and elimination of several positions.

City staff identified approximately $400,000 in additional cuts, leaving another $700,000 in shortages, triggering the layoffs.

Eight positions were immediately eliminated: One each in the City Manager's office, City Clerk's office, Finance Department, Parks, Recreation and Community Services, Public Works Department and three in the Development Services Department.

The job eliminations will save the city $120,000. Savings in capital projects and other operating funds will make up the difference, according to Johnson.

Officials hope the new cuts will carry the city through the current budget year, which ends June 30.

Planning is under way for next year's budget, with more revenue shortages anticipated, Johnson said Feb. 13.