Mobile Mayor Says Jobs Will Be Cut

Mobile Mayor Sam Jones says job cuts will fill a $14 million budget shortfall.
Today, he proposed a one cent sales tax increase, but the city council voted against it.
The mayor sent a statement this afternoon detailing the next step when it comes to layoffs:

"This layoff will include every city department and all job classifications. We have requested the Mobile County Personnel Board to prepare a layoff employment list. Further details will be provided at a later date."

The mayor also says some city services will be reduced and some equipment will not be purchased.
Mayor Same Jones says today's sales tax defeat is a loss for the City of Mobile.
"Though some may view today’s rejection by the Council as a win, I can assure you it is a loss for city employees and the citizens we serve," says Jones.

News 5's Jessica Taloney spoke with Mobile Police Chief Micheal T. Wiilliams this afternoon. He will meet with the mayor tomorrow about cuts. Here are some of the ideas the police chief is considering in order to cut costs:

*Possible closures of Mobile Police Precincts 2 and 4 - Both buildings are leased and that could save on rent and utilities. Officers would be reassigned.
*Possible community program cuts such as the Mobile Police Explorers.
*If jobs must be cut, the chief would start with school crossing guards.

Watch News 5 at 5pm and 6pm for the newest developments.

Here is the Mayor entire statement about city layoffs:

Statement from Mobile Mayor Sam Jones on Today’s City Council Action

As Chief Executive Officer of Mobile, I cannot make the hard decisions to overcome our economic crisis without the help and cooperation of the City Council. It has always been my position that the integrity of city services to our citizens and the employment of city workers are of utmost importance.

That is why in March I proposed a 10% across-the-board pay cut for all city employees including myself, which was soundly rejected by the City Council. That measure also included a $22,000,000 cut from departmental budgets. That proposal was made in an effort to maintain jobs of city workers and the integrity of our city. Today, I proposed a temporary 1 cent sales tax increase which would have automatically been reduced by 50% in two years. This measure would have stabilized city workers’ jobs and allowed us to maintain essential city services. This measure failed to receive a majority vote of the Council. Rejection by the Council on both of these measures has forced me to take the following action:

A forced layoff of hundreds of employees which will affect basic city services. This layoff will include every city department and all job classifications. We have requested the Mobile County Personnel Board to prepare a layoff employment list. Further details will be provided at a later date.

Reduction in some city services and deferral of the purchase of some major departmental equipment.

I knew overcoming these challenges would demand focus and collaboration. Though some may view today’s rejection by the Council as a win, I can assure you it is a loss for city employees and the citizens we serve.

I believe in the City of Mobile and its future. I will continue to diligently work to ensure its success.