Thirty-eight Hollister employees have until Monday to inform the
city whether they plan to accept early retirement
– an offer from city management coinciding with a layoff plan to
reduce the budget.
Thirty-eight Hollister employees have until Monday to inform the city whether they plan to accept early retirement – an offer from city management coinciding with a layoff plan to reduce the budget.
Once those workers who were offered the incentive submit the appropriate paperwork by Monday at 5 p.m., they have an additional week to mull it over before a final deadline of April 12, according to City Manager Dale Shaddox.
“I think I’d like to see some of them that are eligible to apply for it,” Councilman Robert Scattini said. “There are some people that are eligible I’d rather not see apply for it, because we need them.”
The retirements, for whomever accepts the offer, would take effect after June 30 – prospectively also the last day on the job for 36 employees facing a layoff. It will be up to the Council to decide whether to trim that number before July.
The Council approved the layoff plan Jan. 28 after Shaddox completed weeks of budget analysis and meetings with department heads over what positions are most expendable. Council members have indicated they’re willing to consider fewer layoffs if the city’s financial picture changes in the coming months.
Names of employees submitting paperwork to potentially accept the plan will remain confidential until April 12, Shaddox said.
To be eligible under the Public Agency Retirement System, employees must be at least 50 years old with at least five years under the state’s retirement plan for public agency workers.
Two of seven department heads whose positions made the layoff list – Fire Chief Bill Garringer and Finance Director Barbara Mulholland – are eligible for early retirement.
