(Photo from cortland-co.org).
This is a press release from Cortland County Clerk of the Legislature Eric Mulvihill.
In response to several million dollars of lost revenue Cortland County expects to furlough between 50 and 75 employees from May 4th to July 31st, 2020.
Cortland County Administrator Robert Corpora says, “The lost revenue is mainly due to lost sales tax, many retail businesses are closed and gas prices continue to hover at historic lows. Corpora went on to say, “This revenue cannot be made up when the economy reopens, therefore, the County must make immediate changes to help ease the burden on taxpayers”.
While employees will be eligible for unemployment benefits they will also be eligible for the additional $600 per week federal stimulus payments. Impacted employees will continue to receive health insurance benefits but are still required to pay their bi-weekly health insurance contribution.
Corpora has instructed all County Department heads to implement an austerity budget which includes no unnecessary travel and no optional spending. The County will fill critical positions as the need arises and if possible will fill those positions with furloughed employees.
County Department Heads have been tasked with developing a list of employees to be furloughed by Friday, April 24th.
Corpora says, “These lay-offs are expected to be temporary and we want to make sure our valued employees are taken care of.”
