VISTA: City lays off 7 workers

Vista issued pink slips to seven city workers this week, including six members of the city’s Recreation and Community Services Department, in the latest step in the city’s effort to close a projected $9 million budget gap in the fiscal year that begins on July 1, officials said Friday.

The community services workers who lost their jobs were three recreation leaders responsible for managing city facilities, a kitchen aide at the senior center, a community services program manager and a senior recreation supervisor.

The seventh laid-off city employee was a construction manager.

In February, the Vista City Council voted to cut many of the city’s recreation offerings, including several classes for seniors and some youth day camps or activities.

In 2007, the city employed about 380 people. Johnson said there are now about 280 city workers.

In February, city officials released a 2011-12 budget proposal that estimates Vista will spend about $57.7 million in the next fiscal year and take in about $52.5 million in revenue —- a deficit of roughly $5 million. Johnson said that doesn’t reflect more than $4 million in transfers of funds already planned to help balance the budget.

In the 2010-11, the city expected to take in $52.2 million and spend $59.1 million, using a combination of reserves, transfers and savings to balance the budget.

In 2009-10, the city spent about $54.5 million and says it took in the same amount, but included $6.7 million in funding transfers as part of that revenue.

From: Nctimes