County Health Department to lay off 15 workers
Budget cuts might require more, health officer says
By Derek Simmonsen
dsimmonsen@patuxent.com
Posted 3/12/09
At least 15 county Health Department workers will be laid off by July 1 and more could lose their jobs later because of state and county budget cuts.
Dr. Peter Beilenson, the county’s health officer, said today that 15 employees will be laid off by July 1. Five of the employees — all part-time, contractual workers — have already been identified and two have already left, he said.
The other 10 employees have not been selected, as seniority will factor into the firing decisions, Beilenson said. Those employees will be notified by May 1 at the latest, he said.
The employees who are losing their jobs will be a combination of administrative workers, such as office staff, and service employees, which includes nurses, social workers and health aides.
In addition, Beilenson said an additional five to 10 workers could lose their jobs because of state and county budget cuts after July 1.
While it is largely controlled by the county and receives county funds, the Health Department also receives state money, and its workers are state employees, Beilenson said.
The department’s budget this year is $17.5 million. That figure will be much lower next year, Beilenson said, as the state already has cut $420,000 in funding from next fiscal year's budget.
Beilenson said his agency has streamlined programs and cut back on nonessential areas, meaning any future budget cuts will require laying off employees and cutting back on programs.
“These are true service cuts to the citizens,” Beilenson said. “We’re not cutting fat anymore.”
The county also is expecting to lose state money that goes to pay for anti-tobacco programs, including tobacco cessation programs and stings targeting stores that sell cigarettes to minors, he said.
The Health Department cuts come as the county grapples with what may become a $10 million budget deficit for the current fiscal year, which ends June 30, according to a county spokesman. County officials said last month the deficit was at $5 million.
However, county officials have said they have set aside enough money and implemented other cuts that should save the county $10 to $15 million, enough to offset any shortfall.
Dr. Peter Beilenson, the county’s health officer, said today that 15 employees will be laid off by July 1. Five of the employees — all part-time, contractual workers — have already been identified and two have already left, he said.
The other 10 employees have not been selected, as seniority will factor into the firing decisions, Beilenson said. Those employees will be notified by May 1 at the latest, he said.
The employees who are losing their jobs will be a combination of administrative workers, such as office staff, and service employees, which includes nurses, social workers and health aides.
In addition, Beilenson said an additional five to 10 workers could lose their jobs because of state and county budget cuts after July 1.
While it is largely controlled by the county and receives county funds, the Health Department also receives state money, and its workers are state employees, Beilenson said.
The department’s budget this year is $17.5 million. That figure will be much lower next year, Beilenson said, as the state already has cut $420,000 in funding from next fiscal year's budget.
Beilenson said his agency has streamlined programs and cut back on nonessential areas, meaning any future budget cuts will require laying off employees and cutting back on programs.
“These are true service cuts to the citizens,” Beilenson said. “We’re not cutting fat anymore.”
The county also is expecting to lose state money that goes to pay for anti-tobacco programs, including tobacco cessation programs and stings targeting stores that sell cigarettes to minors, he said.
The Health Department cuts come as the county grapples with what may become a $10 million budget deficit for the current fiscal year, which ends June 30, according to a county spokesman. County officials said last month the deficit was at $5 million.
However, county officials have said they have set aside enough money and implemented other cuts that should save the county $10 to $15 million, enough to offset any shortfall.
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