Furlough, non-renewal letters being prepared

As the government prepares to lay off employees, department heads are having a difficult time identifying people they are legally able to furlough, according to Esther Fleming, special assistant for administration.

The recent passage of the $156.76 million Fiscal Year 2009 budget means the local government must cut its spending to fit the ceiling. After the budget became law, Gov. Benigno Fitial, who vetoed the budget proposal, said layoffs would be necessary, although the administration does not know how many would be affected.

Many of the employees are civil service and cannot be let go, Fleming said. If personnel cannot be reduced, operations will need to be downsized, something that is nearly impossible, Fleming said.

“Operations will be affected,” she said, “but, also, they’re operating at very minimal amount, so that means we will try to work with other departments.”

Fleming has asked department secretaries and directors to work with the Office of Personnel Management to prepare a budget projection through Sept. 30, the end of the fiscal year. From there, she added, they will identify the different divisions’ shortfalls and determine who will be furloughed. Most contracts end on April 11, so for those individuals they will receive non-renewal letters.

For those whose contracts are scheduled to end on Sept. 30, they will receive a 30-day notice, she said.

Fleming said the departments would spend this week preparing the letters and making sure they are in line with civil service rules and regulations.

“They need to get their listing and their letter, and work with [Office of Personnel Management] on the language. Make sure it’s legit and go form there,” she added.

Fleming plans on meeting with the employees who are let go to explain the situation, she said.

Non-essential offices could shut down due to the furloughs, although Fleming said at this time she could not say what those might be.

Some people believe potential money from the stimulus package could go toward salaries, but nothing is set in stone, Fleming said.

“You can’t promise something you haven’t seen,” she said.

She added that because the Legislature passed a provision in the budget requiring the lawmakers’ approval to fill non-essential positions, once the employees are given their letters of furlough or non-contract renewal, they are gone.

“If we let them go, they’re gone,” she said.

Finance Secretary Eloy Inos earlier said it’s possible that thousands of employees could be let go.