Politics & Government
Council Considers Early Retirement Program For City Workers
The program would also allow City of Watsonville workers to take voluntary time off, council records show.
WATSONVILLE, CA — The Watsonville City Council is set to consider at its Tuesday meeting reinstating a program to offer city workers early retirement and voluntary time off. If approved, vacant positions would likely not be filled as a cost-cutting measure, the city said.
The proposals come as Watsonville looks to tighten its budget in response to the anticipated economic fallout of the new coronavirus pandemic, Deputy City Manager Nathalie Manning and Administrative Services Director Cindy Czerwin wrote in a report to the council.
The Great Recession prompted Watsonville to initiate its first early retirement incentive program. Retirement incentives were also offered last year, according to the city report. The council will consider reinstating this program.
Find out what's happening in Watsonvillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The proposed early retirement incentive program would allow workers to retire on or before August 1 while maintaining their medical coverage for 24 months or receiving a $15,000 lump sum.
The city said it's unsure how much money it could save by offering retirement incentives, but there are many eligible workers.
Find out what's happening in Watsonvillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Some higher-paid public safety employees would qualify for an extra year of medical leave and a $10,000 payment because their salaries are so high.
The council will also consider reinstating its voluntary time off program for the fiscal year from July 2020 to June 2021. The program first began in May 2009 and allowed employees to reduce their hours but maintain benefits.
This year the city saved about $135,000 with eight participating employees. Up to 22 employees have participated in previous years, according to the city report.
Employees interested in the voluntary leave program must commit to at least six months and reduce hours in four-hour increments.
Also on Tuesday's agenda was a proposal to accept $69,000 in Federal Aviation Administration coronavirus grant aid for the Watsonville Municipal Airport.
Livestream the council meeting at 2 p.m. here, or call in to 571-317-3122 and enter access code 977-402-573.
More News From Patch:Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
