City of Grand Rapids will cut 150 jobs GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM)- We're learning more today about layoffs coming to the city of Grand Rapids. Our partner the Grand Rapids Business Journal is reporting 150 people will lose their jobs. The GRBJ reports city manager Greg Sundstrom announced new details this morning during a meeting with the Downtown Development Authority. The journal qoutes Sundstrom as saying the 150 jobs will come from the general fund. This is an update to a story we first told you about Thursday. Sundstrom told WZZM 13 that the city's budget deficit, once a "$21 million problem" has since grown to $28 million. Sundstrom says he will outline a reorganization of city government to keep pace with shrinking revenues. The revenue decline has come from income taxes, property taxes and state revenue sharing. Sundstrom would not reveal what areas will be cut, but the union representing Grand Rapids' police officers is bracing for the worst. Dave Leonard, the union president, said "The threat appears very real that they're gonna be losing a significant number of officers and there will be a significant change in the way police services will be provided." Nola Steketee, who runs the West Grand Neighborhood organization, fears the police cuts will end community police, to save emergency, first responders. She said "They're now asking us to lose 50 officers, this is ridiculous!" The 50 officer layoff number could not be confirmed. The president of the city's largest employee union was meeting Thursday with city manager Sundstrom in advance of a general meeting Thursday night with members of the Grand Rapids Employees Independent Union. Phil Pakiela has said in the past his union has advanced insurance proposals that could save the city "millions of dollars" but the union had not received any response from city hall. In a previous interview, city manager Sundstrom has said he is looking to privatize city services and combine them with other nearby municipalities. An official announcement is expected Tuesday.
11/6/2009 12:45:13 PM
