Alameda County, California to Hold Layoffs, Cut Programs

Alameda County, California’s new budget calls for layoffs and program cuts to close a $178 million funding deficit.

The County will eliminate 285 full-time equivalent positions. It currently has 9,300 such jobs.

The Sheriff’s Office will lose 100 positions, disband its Marine Patrol Unit and close its Fairmont Animal Shelter. Public Protection will lose 180, including 14 in the District Attorney’s Office and 15 in the Public Defender’s Office. Probation will cut 49.

Less than half of the reductions will be layoffs of current personnel. Empty positions will be left vacant.

Caifornia’s Alameda County occupies most of the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area. As of the 2000 census it had a population of 1.4 million, making it the seventh largest county in the state. The county seat is Oakland.