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Onondaga County Will Cut Up To 250 Positions Due To Budget Crisis

Onondaga County Executive's Office
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Youtube

After holding 300 open positions, cutting $18 million  in revenue, taking 15 million from reserves, and offering an early retirement program, Onondaga County is now looking to layoffs to help its struggling budget. County Executive Ryan McMahon said it could be up to 250 positions.

He plans to ask the county legislature Tuesday to approve a measure that would allow him more flexibility in managing work hours.

“We will work on a week by week basis, assessing real time information as it comes in," said McMahon. “If the economic picture gets better, we will not need to layoff as many hours, which is people. These are people. These are families.”

The layoffs are estimated to make up $6 million for the county. McMahon said they are still assessing which departments and positions will receive cuts.

September is the start of the fourth quarter of the financial year, meaning the county does not only need to handle the current budget situation, but also needs start planning for next year. McMahon said he will present the budget shortly after the election in November.

“We’ve put our position for 20 to absorb some of this, with all these vacant positions we start the year out with. But certainly it’s not going to be easy. It’s going to be a tough budget cycle,” said McMahon.

McMahon said he is still waiting for a definitive answer on whether the federal government will provide aid to state and local governments…and if they do, how much. Clarity in that regard and sales tax receipts will largely shape the budget.

Katie Zilcosky is WAER’s All Things Considered host and features reporter. She also co-hosts WAER’s public affairs show Syracuse Speaks. As a reporter, she focuses on technology, economy, and identity.