Budget impacts - April 22 message from the Interim Division Director

Update on Road Services Division budget situation

Dear Road Services Division Employees:

In my March 18, 2011, e-mail and in subsequent meetings we have had since then, I spoke about the serious financial challenges the Road Services Division (RSD) is facing in the near and long term, with the current $11 million road fund deficit being the most urgent. Your section managers and I have been working diligently over the past couple of months to address this deficit, reviewing all options to close this funding gap while minimizing the number of employee layoffs.

There will be a total of 42 mid-year position reductions. We originally estimated that there would be about 30 mid-year employee layoffs. However, we have been able to reduce this number to 20, which includes two TLT employees. Of the 18 positions held by FTEs, three are in the Administration Section, nine are in Engineering Services, three are in Traffic Engineering, and three are in Road Maintenance. We are also eliminating 22 vacant positions comprised of 21 FTEs and one TLT. The majority of position cuts were in the engineering classifications. We were able to reduce the number of anticipated layoffs by identifying a variety of other cost saving measures in our operating and maintenance programs ($3.15 million), as well as making a series of adjustments to the Capital Improvement Program ($6 million).

As you have probably heard by now, mid-year layoff notifications were distributed on April 19. Many of the employees who received layoff notices have rights to bump other employees in accordance with their collective bargaining agreements. We anticipate that this bumping process could take several weeks to accomplish, and I recognize that this will cause disruption and anxiety within your work units. Road Services Division Human Resource staff will be working closely with these employees, their section managers, the King County Office of Labor Relations, and union business representatives to complete the process as soon as possible, while also ensuring union contract language is followed. A Labor-Management Committee (LMC) that includes representatives from all unions representing RSD employees has been formed. The first LMC meeting was held on April 18, with further meetings to be held regularly. I will be working with the unions on the analysis of cost saving measures, and I encourage you to continue to provide cost savings suggestions.

We still face budget balancing challenges as we identify priorities for the 2012-13 biennium and address the challenges and strategic priorities outlined in the Strategic Plan for Road Services. The division’s proposed 2012-13 budget is due to the King County Executive on June 3. We will continue identifying areas where efficiencies can be realized, reprioritize work programs, and streamline the division’s organizational structure. I also encourage you to continue providing cost saving suggestions directly to me, your section manager, your supervisor, or via this website.

This is a difficult and challenging time for everyone, particularly for those that will be losing their jobs. Thank you again for your ongoing hard work and dedication during this difficult time.

Sincerely,

Paulette Norman
Interim Division Director