Layoffs, facility closures hit the City of Boise as COVID-19 resurges. Boise City Hall. Photo: Don Day/BoiseDev. COVID-19. By Margaret Carmel. November 18...
https://boisedev.com/news/2020/11/18/city-of-boise-closures-layoffs/
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Layoffs, facility closures hit the City of Boise as COVID-19 go up
The City of Boise will once again shutter many facilities to try and slow the spread of COVID-19.
These closures will remain in place through at least January 15, according to an email to city staff from Mayor Lauren McLean obtained by BoiseDev.
This is similar to the city’s operations during stage two of its reopening plan in April and May. Boise Public Libraries will remain open for curbside service and will make computers available by appointment.
Other closures include Idaho IceWorld, the Boise Senior Center and the Boise Municipal Pools until at least summer 2021.
Safety wasn’t the only reason for the closures. McLean said in her email the “budget implications” of operating all of the city’s facilities also played a role. Due to the closures, “a handful” of city employees were laid off. She did not specify the department or the number of employees let go.
We asked City spokesman Seth Ogilve to confirm the moves and provide a number of positions affected. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
This is the latest in a series of budget tightening moves in recent months, including pulling out of a mobility collaborative, reducing the rate of employee raises, trimming maintenance and operations spending, and more. The city said it would shed $34 million from its budget this year over the previous year, and elected not to raise the base rate of property taxes on existing homes and businesses.