More Layoffs Issued In Highland Park
City Will Operate On Skeleton Crew
POSTED: 8:12 a.m. EST March 1, 2002
UPDATED: 8:38 a.m. EST March 1, 2002
Highland Park's emergency financial manager gave layoff notices to all of the city's employees -- except for public safety officers -- saying that the city has no money to pay them.
The city has been dealing with an $11 million deficit. It will now operate on a skeleton crew, Local 4 reported. The city will report next week which employees are needed for essential city services.
The layoffs will close the city's library, according to Local 4.
The Highland Park Police Department was shut down in December when a state-appointed financial manager for the city ordered budget cuts. Wayne County sheriff's deputies patrolled the streets from mid-December until the department was re-opened earlier this week.
An agreement between the city and police union brought 44 officers back to work, but under tight budget constraints.
Finances also caused recent problems for the city's fire department. Firefighters received a memo in February saying that their pay would be delayed for an uncertain amount of time due to lack of city funds. Most firefighters reportedly stayed on the job even without a paycheck.
The new layoffs will go into effect March 14.
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