Faced with a looming budget deficit, Santa Cruz City Council is hoping to cut positions, not people by eliminating two positions that were left vacant two months ago. In November, City Clerk Lorrie Brewer, who had worked in the city clerk’s office since 1989, announced that she would be leaving the employ of the city and moving on to Mountain View.. At the time of her announcement, City Manager Martin Bernal and Mayor Mike Rotkin both said they would begin the search for a replacement immediately, however, given the budget crisis, the city has decided to leave the position vacant. Bernal will assume her responsibilities.
Faced with a looming budget deficit, Santa Cruz City Council is hoping to cut positions, not people by eliminating two positions that were left vacant two months ago. In November, City Clerk Lorrie Brewer.html, who had worked in the city clerk’s office since 1989, announced that she would be leaving the employ of the city and moving on to Mountain View.. At the time of her announcement, City Manager Martin Bernal and Mayor Mike Rotkin both said they would begin the search for a replacement immediately, however, given the budget crisis, the city has decided to leave the position vacant. Bernal will assume her responsibilities.
The same approach was taken with regard to the Information Technology Director, who also left the position. Rather than finding a replacement, the position will be merged with Human Resources into a new Administrative Services Department.
Although two administrative positions will be burdened with extra responsibilities, Bernal clarified that neither he nor the other administrator will receive a salary increase for the additional work. “This isn’t the time to be giving raises,” he said. Six other positions will be reclassified, saving the city $50,000.
At the same meeting, City Council members voted to approve a $53 million contract with the Santa Cruz Redevelopment Agency. The contract became necessary after Gov. Jerry Brown announced his intention to raid the state’s RDAs in order to cover part of the state’s $25 billion state’s deficit. According to Mayor Ryan Coonerty, the decision ensures that the money already earmarked for urban improvement projects, including affordable housing projects and economic growth initiatives, cannot be seized by the state. Read more at Santa Cruz Sentinel and KSBW.
