Batten down the hatches - budget cuts ahead

[mmmarvel]

Back in August of this year I was seeing some positions at Houston that I was pretty sure I'd be qualified for. I asked for an opinion (regarding pursuing them) and y'all provided some excellent fodder for thought. In the end I did not pursue any of the positions, choosing to stay at my little ole airport, do my job and try to stay out of the spot light. I sincerely thank each and every one of you who gave an opinion to my question.

The reason for this posting is the following article which forecasts a layoff of 500,000 city and county workers nationwide, over the next year or so. Here in Houston they forecast a $30 million gap the city must close in the next six months, there remains a $118 million gap in 2012 and about a $420 million projected deficit in the next three years. The start of combating this deficit is a city-wide voluntary furlough (police and fire will be exempt from this program) of one day per month per employee. Let's see, they want to try to persuade folks to go along with this just before Christmas. I see both sides of the coin, yes, you get more time with the family, on the other hand there are Christmas presents to pay for.

Anyway I'm bloviating, at this point in time I have no idea if or when mandatory furlough days will happen. I don't know exactly who it will affect. The airports are really funded by airlines and the FAA so I don't know if it will reach me (plus we have several new projects which just got funded and are getting started).

For your information and knowledge here is a link to the research paper regarding the upcoming predicted layoffs.

Link - http://www.nlc.org/ASSETS/06F2CD78F5FB4A7DA1B84DA4A92008A8/LJAreport_FINAL.pdf

An aside, from some of the comments (and I appreciate them) I must have made this sound like I'm worried about my job - I'm really not, I feel fairly secure that I'll be around, maybe with mandatory furlough days, maybe not. I merely posted this as someone (the author of the pdf) who has evaluated the upcoming condition of cities and counties. I will send something to packsaddle, because I never 'just turn something down'; I'm always game to look at opportunities. Just wanted to clarify, this was a heads up for ALL of us who work for cities and counties. As globe trekker said, always keep a copy of an updated resume handy, you never know when you might need it (at a moments notice).

 

[peach]

Always safer to stay where you are... (even if you hate it)

 

[packsaddle]

pm me your resume.

i may have something in the Houston area for you in 2011 and beyond.

 

[globe trekker]

mmmarvel,

With all of the projected airport projects that are [ supposedly forthcoming ], I would stay

put until they force you to take furlough time. The statistical per centages are in your

favor. I'm thinking that you are a valued employee at the airport and will, ...wait

for it, ...."fly under the radar" ( :lol: ) and not get mandatory furlough time.

As you already know, to be prepared and practical, ...always keep an updated resume

available.

.

 

[FM William Burns]

Pack,

Can I commute to Houston?

 

[FredK]

Closely guarded secret around here, but at the least another year without any raises (be the forth) at least. The boss was mentioning they are thinking of cutting out the water cooler as a saving idea. Doesn't bode well for next year at this junction, but then early retirement is also a possibilty.

Keep what you got and go from there.

I only do one day at a time now days as it beat the cr@p out worring about the future.

 

[ccbuilding]

Same as FredK, another year without merit or cost of living raise, water cooler went last year, had 10 furlough days this budget year, next year will add on a 10% pay decrease. Have already lost 1/3 of our office personnel, and who knows what's next. Scary stuff.

My crystal ball doesn't seem to be working very well at this point, so I'm of the same opinion. Keep what you got, and then see what happens.

Good Luck to everyone.