Whatcom County To Undergo More Layoffs Under Current Proposal

Washington State’s Whatcom County will undertake more layoffs as a result of the 2011-12 budget proposal.

The administration gave the budget proposal before County Council members on Friday. The $172.37 million budget plan takes into consideration the $5.3 million deficit the county currently faces. The gap comes from the county’s all-purpose general fund and is significantly larger than the previous projection of a $4 million gap.

The county has faced noteworthy declines in revenue.  County Executive Pete Kremen has proposed job cuts that would slash around 151 county positions as well as certain county services, such as staffing as senior centers.

The county previously cut 8 jobs in Planning and Development Services during August.