West Linn lays off one employee as revenue declines

Loss of employee in the building

By Kara Hansen

The West Linn Tidings, Mar 19, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (1 Reader comment)

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The city of West Linn laid off one employee last week to offset declining revenues in the building department.

Assistant to the city manager Kirsten Wyatt said the dismissal of a building inspector was a cost-saving measure and no other lay-offs are planned at this time.

“Our expenses are right on budget, but our revenues are way under budget,” she said. “With the current state of our economy and the likelihood for future building projects in town, it doesn’t look like it’s getting any better.”

A recent city financial report showed a shortfall in revenue expected from building permit operations that Finance Director Richard Seals said reflected a national trend.

As development slows in the economic downturn, construction companies begin fewer projects, which means the city is receiving fewer permit applications and generating less revenue from permitting fees, he said.

The change in the building department takes its staffing from five people to four –down one building inspector from two. But the building inspector who received the pink slip might not be the employee who ultimately leaves city hall.

Wyatt said a union contract allows for “bumping” based on seniority.

Although technically laid-off, the former building inspector could seek a job held by a less-senior employee in a different department, she said. That employee could then pull rank as well.

The laid-off worker has a deadline to use his “bumping rights,” said Wyatt. “We will know (Friday) the full effects of this and what it will look like.”