SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO : Layoff, Hourly Cuts Trim Budget $100,000

The city has laid off one employee and cut the hours of four others to trim $100,000 from the budget.

A full-time senior planner was laid off this week, while three full-time community service coordinators and a full-time secretary in the city manager’s office saw their hours reduced to between 20 and 35 hours per week, City Manager George Scarborough said Friday.

The cuts were not unexpected.

Earlier this month, the City Council trimmed about $100,000 from programs in the Community Services Department.

Another $40,000 was then to be cut from personnel in that department--and $60,000 elsewhere--to help the city meet its $10.2-million budget.

Scarborough said the five employees affected this week have been offered severance packages and other assistance. Scarborough said there are 75 full-time employees, down from 80.

“It was a very, very difficult decision and one we struggled and agonized with,” Scarborough said.

City Councilman Jeff Vasquez said the personnel moves were not as severe as those in some cities but could be a precursor.

“I think that you’ll probably see more changes in the future,” Vasquez predicted. “I don’t see the picture getting better.”