City officials began layoffs yesterday as the deadline to close the $6.5 million gap for the 2009-2010 fiscal year approaches.

According to Megan MacPherson, communications manager, the layoffs began Thursday morning and will continue throughout next week. As of Friday morning, the number of city employees dismissed was unknown.

“We really won’t know how we will be affected until the process is completed,” MacPherson said. “I don’t have any numbers at this time.”

City staff was given some notice prior to Thursday’s layoffs.

According to MacPherson, the city has been working to cut costs for the last two years and have been working to avoid layoffs. However given the current budget situation, labor costs needed to be addressed.

A career counseling session was held Friday for city staff who had been dismissed to discuss available job resources.

“We want to do everything we can to help our employees land on their feet,” MacPherson said.

See Wednesday’s Press-Tribune for the full story.