NEWBURGH HEIGHTS, Ohio — On Tuesday, Newburgh Heights Council approved legislation that would order layoffs within the village.
The legislation created a buzz throughout the community after Mayor Gigi Traore reported that the legislation would eliminate positions on the fire department and police department.
"We are facing a budget shortfall of $2.6 million," Councilwoman Michelle Graora said.
However, there was confusion as to which jobs were being eliminated during Tuesday's meeting.
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Traore claimed the finance committee voted to lay off six village employees, which included two firefighters, one police officer, one service department employee, and two housing and building department employees. She also said the legislation — which she called "corrupt" — would decrease the village administrator's role.
"When you convened and took a vote, you said we are voting to accept Councilman [Bill] Dunman's recommendation," the mayor told members during Tuesday's meeting.
However, Council told 3News that plan was merely a "suggestion" and that the mayor "has mischaracterized the situation," stressing that "no police or fire personnel are slated for layoffs at this time." Dunman provided a clearer answer Tuesday night following a debate between the mayor and legislators.
"The reduction in hours for the administrative assistant, the potential layoffs for two personnel in the building department, one person in the service department and a reduction in shift staffing for police and fire," Dunman said.
Residents filled council chambers, along with firefighters fearful of the loss of coworkers. However, councilmembers said their goal was to prevent first responder layoffs.
"When we walked into that meeting, my No. 1 goal was, 'What can we do to lay off the fewest amount of people, especially the safety forces?" Councilwoman Dorene Kray said.
According to Traore, the three layoffs will save the village roughly $16,000, a mere dent in the still more than $2.5 million deficit. The fear among city workers is that more layoffs will be coming in the future.