WESTMINSTER — Moments before Carroll County Government readied to light its holiday tree tonight, officials announced that 18 county workers will lose their jobs as part of eliminating 62 positions.

County Commissioner Julia Gouge and Steven Powell, chief-of-staff for Carroll County Government made the announcement at a 5 p.m. news conference at the County Office Building, wrapping up in time to celebrate the holidays at a 6 p.m. ceremony.

"It has been the single most difficult day of my career in Carroll County, and I'm glad it's over," Powell said as his voice cracked and quivered. "I know that it has only just begun for 18 people."

The combination of eliminating unfilled positions and layoffs will save an estimated $3 million, Powell said. The commissioners had voted earlier this afternoon to start layoffs, Gouge said.

"As a Board of Commissioners, we truly regret losing these people," Gouge said. "They're hardworking employees and we consider friends to all of us."

The cuts are necessary because of the uncertain future of the county's budget situation, Powell said. Income tax revenues are lower than anticipated and preliminary information for tax assessments in South Carroll — the county's largest base — "doesn't look good," he said.

"Most of the uncertainty that exists is on the downside — not on the upside, at least in the short-term in government," he said. "Government lags into a recession and lags out of a recession. For us, fiscal years 2011 and 2012 are going to be difficult ones."

In addition to the county's falling revenues, Gov. Martin O'Malley cut $360 million in November in the latest round of state budget reductions and has cut $1 billion so far, some of it passed onto local jurisdictions. The state faces $2 to $3 billion budget deficit next year.

"The short answer is regrettably yes," Powell said of his chances of announcing additional cuts.

Gouge warned residents to expect services to be reduced and the senior centers will restrict weekend activities.

"This winter it will take longer for the road to be plowed, there will be fewer programs throughout the parks department, inspections and permits will take longer and as some of you may have already heard, our senior centers will be closed to outside groups on the weekends," she said. "There are a few different groups who use our senior centers on the weekends, but it's something we no longer can do."

Of the 18 positions, two are contractual positions, which are naturalists employed at Piney Run Park and Hashawha Environmental Center, Powell said.

Other moves include consolidating operations in the Department of Citizen Services, Bureau of Aging and marketing efforts from the Office of Tourism and the Carroll County Farm Museum will be consolidated into the Department of Economic Development.

Of the 45 positions that were already vacant, 31 are eliminated, he said. Fourteen positions will need to be filled, he said, some due to early retirements.

Out of the 150 employees elgible for an early retirement buyout offered Sept. 30, 40 accepted, Powell said. About half of those positions are eliminated, he said.

Staff were notified today about layoffs, and the employees' final day will be Feb. 3, 2010, Powell said. Employees will be given two weeks of severance pay and any paid time leave accrued, he said.

Commissioners have also offered to provide health insurance at the current rate for six months to those laid off, he said.

Some employees could stay with the county in another role, Powell said.

"It will be a program where they will get first crack (to apply)," he said.

Some positions will not be filled until after July 1, 2010, the start of the new fiscal year, in order to pay for the retirement buyout, he said.

The county started its hiring freeze in September 2008, he said.

Eliminated Positions

Building Construction  ...  Building construction analyst
Citizen Services ... Bureau chief
Citizen Services ... Administrative office associate
County Attorney ...  License commissioner inspector
County Attorney ...  Office associate
Economic Development ... Fiscal analyst
Engineering ... Construction inspector
Farm Museum ... Marketing assistant
Fleet Management ... Stock clerk
Hashawha Environmental Center ... Park naturalist (contract position)
Hashawha Environmental Center ... General services assistant
Risk Management ... Compliance specialist
Permits ... Permits plan processor
Piney Run Park ... Park naturalist (two)
Piney Run Park ... Park naturalist (contract position)
Piney Run Park ... Environmental educator
Tourism ... Marketing assistant

Source: Carroll County Government

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