Details Announced On Orange Beach Layoffs

Two days before Thanksgiving, some city workers are bracing for layoffs.
Wednesday night, the mayor of Orange Beach detailed his plan for workforce reductions to the city council and the public.
Mayor Tony Kennon said, "We had 40 positions that we are not going to fill. 23 are individuals who were in the jobs that we laid off, for lack of a better term."
Kennon said his workforce reduction plan is needed to help make up a $3 million budget shortfall.
He said, "The big thing was sales tax. Our lodgings taxes were fairly close 2008 to 2007, so we had about the same number of people coming down. They just didn't spend as much."
Kennon said the cuts were across every department, with two department heads being laid off as well as three fire dispatchers.
The mayor said seven vacant positions in the police department will not be filled.
Kennon said, "I can imagine sitting in that chair and hearing the news this time of year. It had to be very tough. I hurt for them, but we had no choice."
News Five asked people after the meeting what they thought about the reduction plan.
Ralph Moore said, "After the city council explained its process, everyone seemed to have a positive attitude."
Judy Moore said, "I think they've done the best they could in a difficult situation."
"It is a tough situation all the way around," Ralph Bolden said. "I think our mayor is a strong leader. I think he's done what's best for the city in this situation."
Margaret Childress Long said, "They're doing the right thing. I mean, its been painful, but they are doing the right thing."
Some people who said they were city employees and were concerned about losing their jobs did not want to talk on camera.
The Orange Beach City Council is scheduled to officially vote on the workforce reduction plan at its meeting December 2.