Layoff notices went out to more than 200 Sacramento city employees last week, including 80 cops. And unlike years past, it seems almost certain that most - if not all - of those workers will indeed lose their jobs on July 1, when the next fiscal year begins.
In past years, many City Hall workers who received layoff notices would end up staying employed with the city because of bumping rights that moved them into other unfilled positions. After several years of cutbacks, however, most of those unfilled positions have evaporated.
The full scope of the cuts will likely be determined Tuesday night, when the City Council conducts a budget hearing for the parks, police and fire departments. All three are slated for cutbacks in a proposal to fill a citywide $39 million deficit, and council members want to debate the cuts at the same time to drive home their argument that the city is all but broke.
"We can't afford to keep doing what we've done," Councilman Rob Fong said at a recent budget session.
A huge turnout is expected at Tuesday's hearing, scheduled for the 6 p.m. council meeting at City Hall, 915 I St. The influential public safety unions and Local 39 - City Hall's largest union - will likely show up in force.
City staffers are trying to accommodate the expected crowd by opening up viewing areas in Old City Hall and the mezzanine area outside the council chambers. An audio feed of the hearing is even scheduled for the City Hall courtyard.
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