News Release
August 6, 2009
Concord offices close for furlough days, starting Friday, Aug. 14
The City of Concord has announced that City offices will be closed for 13 furlough days between now and the end of the City's fiscal year, June 30, 2010. The first furlough day is Friday, August 14.
Employees will take the furlough days off without pay, resulting in a 5 percent reduction in compensation over the course of the year and a savings to the City of approximately $1.25 million.
The unpaid furlough days are part of the City's comprehensive plan to balance its General Fund budget. As is the case in most California cities, a sharp reduction in sales and property tax revenue has created a budget shortfall. Concord's $80 million general fund is faced with a $13.5 million structural deficit, compounded by a $2.5 million take-away by the state in property tax revenues announced last week.
On August 14, police patrol, dispatch operations and City inspectors will not be affected by the closure. Centre Concord, Willow Pass Community Center and the Diablo Creek Golf Course will remain open. Offices to be closed include the Civic Center complex (1950 Parkside Drive), Public Works (1455 Gasoline Alley), Engineering (2151 Salvio St.), the Concord Senior Citizens Center (2727 Parkside Circle), Concord Community Pool (3501 Cowell Road), Police Department District Offices and the Police Headquarters (1350 Galindo St.).
A minimum number of staff will continue on duty, primarily in an on-call capacity or to provide essential maintenance services. No street sweeping will occur during the closure period but will resume on the next regularly scheduled day.
Additional furlough days for this calendar year are Sept. 25, Oct. 23, Nov. 25, Dec. 24, Dec. 28-31. Furlough days for the first half of 2010 are Jan. 15, March 12, April 9 and May 7.
In June, the City Council passed the fiscal year 2009-2010 City budget and 10-Year Financial Plan, which went into effect July 1. Furlough days, savings from an early retirement program, employee compensation and benefits reductions, operational changes, use of reserves, and the elimination of positions through layoffs were assumed in the budget projections.
For additional information, call the City Administrative Offices, (925) 671-3000, or visit the City's website at www.cityofconcord.org.