City of Norman to Lay Off 24 Employees in June

Staff and Wire Reports

NORMAN, Oklahoma -- The city manager in Norman says the city is laying off 24 employees and may eliminate 12 vacant positions because of a budget shortfall.

City Manager Steve Lewis confirmed the layoffs Monday. He said the employees were told Friday that June 3 will be their final day.

Street maintenance will be the hardest hit with six employees losing their jobs.

"They're not very happy," said street maintenance worker Mark Mitchell. "They have kids and family, and they're gonna lose their insurance, and their paychecks, and their livelihood."

Union reps learned about the layoffs late last week.

"I had one lady crying and she was actually the wife of an employee that they were going to lose their house, they have three kids," said AFSCME President Henry Baskeyfield. "She'd lost her job in January. They didn't know what they were going to do if her husband was laid off."

The layoffs effect many departments. Even the assistant pro at the city golf course is losing his job.

"It's a pretty tough shock, yeah," said Westwood Golf Course Assistant Pro Ricky Parris. "I still feel like there's still some hope with the situation and I still want to be here at Westwood. I understand the impact that it has on employees and their families."

But City Manager Steve Lewis says Norman is facing historic budget shortfalls.

"Almost every revenue source that the city of Norman has is down, down this year and down going into FY11," Lewis said.

The city council will get its first look at the budget and layoffs during a study session later Tuesday evening. But they won't be alone. Perhaps as many as 100 city employees will also attend, including members of the fire department--in a show of solidarity with those who are losing their jobs.

Lewis says the city is facing a $9 million budget shortfall and the cuts will save about $1.7 million before benefits payouts and unemployment pay.

The Norman city manager is proposing the elimination of 38 positions. The City Council won't approve a final budget until mid-June.