The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on Wayne County, in terms of employment.
Faced with a $152 million deficit, the county will either furlough or lay off 227 of its employees, which will result in savings of $30.3 million. It will also leave the county with over 600 unfilled positions, according to Patch Detroit.
All but one of the county employee unions worked with the county on the furloughs, which are scheduled to last three months but could be extended to 150 days, if necessary. The unions that agreed to furloughs will have the benefit of their employees retaining their health insurance.
"This is a difficult but necessary step to help balance the county’s budget in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Wayne County Executive Warren Evans said in a statement reported by Patch Detroit. “I thank Commission Chairwoman Bell and her fellow commissioners for ratifying my administration’s recommendations to reduce costs during this emergency.”
In addition to furloughs and layoffs, the county is cutting costs in a variety of ways. Travel, all overtime and major repairs are among the items that will require special approval by an executive review committee.
There was a feeling of disappointment in the fact the county’s largest employees' union opted to take the layoffs, rather than accept the furlough. However, the moves were crucial toward helping provide immediate budget relief.
“I am cognizant of the hardship this decision creates for our employees who are most affected,” Evans told Patch Detroit. “We have taken steps to ensure continued health benefits with no immediate cost to furloughed employees, and the county will process unemployment applications for furloughed employees, which we hope will make this transition a little easier.”
The county also has its officials looking toward the long-term impacts of the coronavirus as it relates to county finances. They are working on an updated two-year forecast that will not only assess every aspect of the county, but also the potential losses for pensions and other benefit plans that provide for employees after their time working with the county.
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