To: Neighborhood Council Friends and Colleagues
From: BongHwan (BH) Kim, General Manager, Department of Neighborhood Empowerment

As you know, the City is facing its worst fiscal crisis in history. Late last evening, the City Council's Budget and Finance Committee considered and recommended some additional reductions in staffing for several City Departments to balance the budget, which amounts to the layoff of 926 employees. The full City Council will be making a decision on these cuts at today's meeting. You can monitor the meeting live via City Fone and/or go to the Downtown Council Chambers, Van Nuys City Hall and San Pedro City Hall to monitor the meeting make public comments, if desired.

Based on this new operational plan, the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment is being reduced by a total of 11 positions -- we currently have 42 authorized positions, and 5 positions are vacant - which leaves a total staff of 37 full time positions. The new Plan further reduces the department staffing to 32 full time positions - which means that since July 1, 2009, we would experience an approximate 26% reduction in staff with an assumption that 5 staff members would be laid off. Since 2008, the Department staffing authorities have been reduced by 38%, including this current reduction. In addition, 85% of our current staff are on a 2 day per month work furlough.

As you all know, we are in the process of re-engineering our workloads and service delivery to accommodate the City's fiscal needs while continuing to provide the Neighborhood Councils with the tools, training and policies to ensure your continued and vital involvement within your communities. If these additional staffing reductions are approved today, we will make every possible effort to continue addressing these challenges to our service delivery.

We will continue to keep you informed as things develop over the next few days.

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