City of Anderson Announces Reduction in Force

Submitted by kpaul.mallasch on Fri, 03/27/2009 - 1:09pm.

ANDERSON, IN - Joining the ranks of embattled municipalities and corporations nationwide, the City of Anderson today announced its first round of involuntary employment cuts, totaling 12 positions, a figure expected to rise throughout the coming months.

The Departments hit hardest by the reductions are the Park and Recreation Department and the Street Department, each losing five employees. The Anderson Police Department lost two employees. In addition to these reductions, over the past year two positions have been eliminated in the office of the Controller, and one each in the Departments of Human Resources and Community Development.

Steve Priser, Director of Human Resources, explained that, in most cases, existing employees would fill the demands of vacant positions. For instance, the position of Account Payable Clerk/Secretary at Parks and Recreation was eliminated. Some duties of the position were preparation of department billing and clerical and reception functions, which will now be performed by other clerical staff within the Department.

Another eliminated position at Parks was the Cook who prepared food for the Senior Meal program at Geater Center. In order to continue the service provided by the program, the Parks Department will work with social service providers in the community to identify program patrons who might now take advantage of other available meal delivery programs. The Senior Program will still provide health and well being program offerings such as fitness classes and informational classes.

Reductions at the Street Department affected five temporary employees. Coupled with the discontinuation of seasonal employment, the Street Department will be operating during the busy summer season without supplemental employees. "Repair projects can be expected to take longer with fewer employees on each task, but I expect that departments will be able to continue to meet the needs of citizens even with this reduction", said Mayor Kris Ockomon, "none of that makes it easy. It's still a very difficult process".

The City of Anderson is facing a budget shortfall of $2.5 million for 2009 as a result of property tax caps enacted by House Bill 1001.

Source: Anderson City Hall Press Release