The city is currently projecting no layoffs for the coming year, though a hiring freeze will continue for about 100 positions.
City Manager Jim Starbird said one of his assistants, Jasmine Beers, is evaluating requests for hiring on an emergency basis, and has approved three requests in the last month.
Starbird said he would prefer to rely on program cuts rather than make a hard freeze. Department heads will be asked to submit five prevent cuts for council consideration.
The city will also be going to the negotiating table to see if other city bargaining units are prepared to follow the lead of the firefighters and forego cost of living pay hikes.
The finance director said the unemployment rate in Glendale is estimated at 9.9%, less than in the county or state, and the projected revenue loss is less than many comparable cities.
On the down side, treasurer Ron Borucki said the city can’t expect any comebacks in investments any time soon. In fact, he said, some older issues are maturing and going out at significantly lower rates.
Glendale and other cities will need to watch for any attempts by the state to raid local funds, to balance the California budget.
Councilman John Drayman requested further information on three topics, one of them the future of the park ranger program, “a big topic” of messages to the council. He also requested more information about home garaging of city cars, “a topic we’ve been discussing for 20 years,” and possible reorganization of city departments.
The first budget session is scheduled for May 7.
