60 Jobs Hang In The Balance In Yakima County

Washington State’s Yakima County is looking at mass layoffs as a serious option to compensate for the county’s budget gap, which is upwards of $3 million.

Between 45 and 60 jobs hang in the balance as county commissioners head to Tuesday’s meeting to set a preliminary budget for 2010. It is projected that that budget will consist of around $54 million in spending. However, revenues are only expected to reach $51.3 million.

The county has about 1,100 employees and it is the third largest employer in Yakima County after Wal-Mart and Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital.

City commissioner Mike Leita said that almost all vacant positions have been eliminated, meaning that budget cuts will be slashing currently filled positions.