S.L. County adopts hiring freeze

In its first work session to hash out the details of newly re-elected Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon's 2009 budget, the County Council voted unanimously to adopt one aspect immediately — a countywide "hard" hiring freeze.

The new restriction applies to all county departments and agencies, including the mayor's office, but allows some critical criminal justice additions in the district attorney's office and sheriff's office.

The freeze is likely the first step in a reduction plan that looks to trim about 5 percent from the 4,000-strong work force. Corroon estimated that eliminating 175 full-time positions could be done through attrition by next spring, and would net about $11 million in savings on top of the $11 million already cut from the budget.

Corroon attended the budget meeting and stressed that his plan did not include terminations and was structured to minimize impact on residents.

"We're not looking at laying off people through 2009," Corroon said. "We're looking at attrition ... and maintaining the level of services we offer in the county."

Council chairman Michael Jensen, back to work after an election night that saw him fend off Democratic challenger Paul Pugmire, said employees are the county's most important asset and recognizing that is a priority.

"We want to thank (employees) for the work that (they've) done and reiterate that the council is in partnership with them," Jensen said. "Without employees providing the services ... we're not Salt Lake County."

A proposal by the council's fiscal adviser to temporarily hold a planned 2.75 percent merit increase for county employees, part of a modest compensation bump included in Corroon's budget, was dismissed by most of the council and did not make it to a vote.

The council has until Dec. 9 to adopt a 2009 budget.

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