Vancouver, Washington to Layoff 65-75 City Employees

Vancouver, Washington faces a $6 million deficit in its 2010 budget and to cover the shortfall 65-75 city employees will lose their jobs. The job cuts should cover 75% of the budget shortfall according to city manager Pat McDonnell. Every department will be affected. The city will use layoffs, limited retirement incentives and the elimination of vacant positions in order to reduce its staff. The reductions come in addition to the elimination of 57 positions and the freezing of 24 vacant jobs last year. Vancouver is expected to have a $10 million shortfall in 2011. Affected employees are being notified now but more details about job cuts will not be available until early February.