Red Deer city council still has its say on whether staffing positions will be cut as part of the 2012 municipal operating budget, says Mayor Morris Flewwelling.
Flewwelling spoke in reaction to a story in Thursday’s Advocate reporting that City of Red Deer manager Craig Curtis has advised a small number of staff that their positions will be eliminated effective Jan. 31.
Department heads were asked to cut two to five per cent from their operational costs.
“It hasn’t been dealt with yet by council,” said Flewwelling from City Hall on Thursday afternoon. “The budget is still belonging to administration and Mr. Curtis. It’s not (in the hands of ) council.”
Council will begin operating budget talks on Jan. 3.
Councillor Lynne Mulder said she understands from reading the budget binder, which is in the hands of council now, that most of the positions being cut are ones that are vacant. They just won’t be filled.
“It’s good that (Curtis) is giving notice, but it’s still up in the air until council passes the budget,” Mulder said.
Mulder, former vice-president of education for Red Deer College, said she knows that laying off people is never easy so such decisions are done with utmost thought.
“I certainly have confidence in Craig and the other administrators in recommending the changes,” she added.
Councillor Buck Buchanan said it’s too early to say what could happen. After receiving more information, council could decide not to eliminate the positions.
“We could end up with 10 or 20 more positions,” said Buchanan.
Councillor Frank Wong said it was a surprise to him about the job cuts. He learned about it through information on various Facebook pages.
Wong said it’s premature to form an opinion until those budget discussions come up on staffing.
Councillors Tara Veer and Cindy Jefferies couldn’t be reached for comment on Thursday afternoon.
Councillors Paul Harris, Chris Stephan and Dianne Wyntjes all spoke of their support of the cuts in Thursday’s Advocate.
ltester@www.reddeeradvocate.com