The city of Chula demoted 21 employees and handed out layoff notices to 48 employees Wednesday.
These numbers do not include the 33 layoffs and 14 demotions in the police department last week.
The layoffs, a consequence of the city’s projected $12.5 million deficit, are effective Jan. 7 next year.
City manager Jim Sandoval said it’s possible for the notices to be rescinded, but it will take cooperation from the unions.
There are five seperate unions that represent city employees, including police officers and firefighters.
According to Sandoval, the city will have the $12.5 deficit with or without the passage of Prop. H, however if the measure fails to pass in November it will add another estimated $6 million to the budget gap.
City of Chula Vista Human Resources Kelly Bacon said these cuts are the most painful yet.
“There will definitely be impacts as a result to staffing reductions,” Bacon said.
Sandoval said that under civil service rules, people can “bump” someone else by using their seniority.
“It would be our hope not to lay anybody off, because it cuts the services we can provide to the public—It’s good people walking out the door,” Sandoval said.
