Austin's Financial Fix: Furlough Plan
Employee Furloughs Proposed:
To tackle a significant General Fund shortfall, the City Manager proposed a plan including a 10-hour unpaid furlough for full-time employees, with lesser impacts for part-timers, to save city funds.Budget Vote Deferred:
The Council reviewed the proposed budget amendments and furlough strategy, but decided to postpone the final vote until a regularly scheduled meeting two days later.Closed-Door Discussions:
Council held a private executive session to discuss sensitive matters, including ongoing litigation (such as a case involving Houston Lighting and Power) and potential land acquisitions for projects like the Parmer Lane Right-of-Way.
Full Transcript
AUSTIN - 3:00 Ρ.Μ. Austin City Council MINUTES For SPECIAL CALLED MEETING 4th Floor Auditorium - June 02, 1987 Central Library Council Chambers, 307 West Second Street, Austin, Texas Memorandum To: Mayor Cooksey called to order the special called meeting of the Council, noting the absence of Councilmember Carl-Mitchell. DEVELOPMENT PROCESS The City Manager Report on Development Process was presented. A copy of the report is on file in the City Clerk's office. BUDGET AMENDMENTS Council had before them an ordinance to consider approval of a strategy and associated budget amendments to meet the current year General Fund Shortfall. Originally City Manager Carrasco said he had good news. it was estimated employees would have to take a three day furlough without pay in order to help the budget deficit. On closer calculation, it was found the furlough would be 10 hours. Three days would have generated more savings than is needed. Mr. Carrasco, City Manager, said each 40 hour employee would take the 10 hours without pay and that there would be no impact on benefits. Part time employees who work 10-19 hours will take a 2½ hour furlough. The other cuts mentioned are included in a report on file in the City Clerk's office. Mayor Cooksey said the Council will look over the information provided and vote on the ordinance at the regularly scheduled meeting on June 4, 1987. EXECUTIVE SESSION Mayor Cooksey announced Council would go into i Council Memo 2 6/2/87 executive session pursuant to Article 6252-17, Texas Revised Civil Statutes Annotated, to discuss matters of land acquisition, litigation, and for personnel matters. No final action, decision or vote by the City Council will be taken on any subject or matter unless specifically listed on the agenda for this meeting. 1. Pending Litigation - (a) Section 2, Paragraphe Litigation involving an interlocal agreement and release of extraterritorial jurisdiction (b) City of Austin v. Houston Lighting and Power 2. Land Acquisition Section 2, Paragraph f (a) Parmer Lane Right-of-Way (b) Avante Plaza Building (c) Lease of Office Spaces RECESS AND ADJOURNMENT Council recessed for executive session from 3:55 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. and adjourned its meeting at 5:46 p.m.