City of Tallahassee Fires 38 Workers

Tallahassee Reports has learned that the City of Tallahassee has terminated 38 city workers.

Less than 24 hours after a budget workshop where city officials told the city commissioners that “approximately 47 positions will be reduced through existing vacancies, retirements, and in certain cases, layoffs”,  38 city workers were told they would be terminated. Based on these numbers, layoffs make up 80% of the reduction.

The City of Tallahassee was facing an approximate $4.5 million budget deficit for FY 2018.

Documents provided to TR show that of the 38 workers terminated, 8 were women and 30 were men. Also, 23 were white and 15 were black.

The documents provided to can be seen here.

The report will be updated as more information becomes available.

Staff

Staff writer at Tallahassee Reports.

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23 Comments

  1. LP
    LP

    Like the 1st post, I'm amazed at the pay scale(s). Maybe I've lost track of the prevailing wages in the area, but there are five (5) Administrative Assistant positions in the list that were making at or over $50k per year. No wonder my small business has trouble getting help. I can't compete with the City pay rates.

  2. Fedup
    Fedup

    So, was Mr. Eddie Kring, the city employee that was brought over from The Edison by some sort of crooked deal - was he one of the ones that was let go? Or was his job so important to the city that he can't be done without? Or maybe it has to do with that dangerous liaison between Mr. Adam Corey and our illustrious mayor and Mr. Fernandez.

  3. Phil
    Phil

    So they don't need a Director of Public Works? Or a top environmental person? Those are kind of important in my book.

    I guess after blowing all of our money on Gaines St, Cascades, and FAMU Way, we dont have any money left to build new roads so we don't need a public works director.

  4. Brooke C
    Brooke C

    But, they can hire attorney's at $380 an hour? INSANE, CORRUPT, WORTHLESS!

    1. Thomas C. Hooker
      Thomas C. Hooker

      Not just any attorney, an obama appointed attorney and the Tallahassee Democrat has been gushing over her for years.

  5. Sarah
    Sarah

    The 2016 firings, I think happened at the end of 2015 when Rick took over. But don't forget all those that were quietly moved to other positions and then pushed (or fired) out... Dee, Michelle, Heath, Delores, Ivan, etc.

    It just boggles the brain that they laid them off yet are still actively hiring multiple positions (many not included on their opening positions link)

  6. Phil
    Phil

    Looks like a law suit based on age discrimination. Twenty one of 38 are over 55 years of age. Another eight are between 50 and 54. So 29 of 39 fired employees are over 50 years of age.

    1. Dr. Erwin Jackson
      Dr. Erwin Jackson

      You can count on that. Some have visited me and I have assisted in acquiring legal representation. Reductions should begin at the top -not the bottom! Let's see how many employees who were fired had filed complaints about the city ?

    2. Dr. Erwin Jackson
      Dr. Erwin Jackson

      I agree. Several important issues!

  7. Renee Jaxn
    Renee Jaxn

    Good evening. A hopeful and speedy restoration to those that were let go.

  8. Vernon
    Vernon

    I wonder if those 2 assistant City Managers that got a $40,000 a year raise from Mr Fernandez feel a little guilty? But I have to wonder...If they chose to make up 80% of the shortfall by getting rid of 47 positions, were those employees really needed? Maybe some of them were, but this kinda shows where their priorities are.

  9. News_Maven
    News_Maven

    Any of the six-figure types with double-digit raises get canned?

    Thought so.

    The easiest job in the world:
    Oppo researcher for the Graham campaign.

    1. Mr. Curious
      Mr. Curious

      There is one. And you can bet they know aplenty.

  10. Fthistown
    Fthistown

    Me thinks the 38 could have culpable knowledge of wrong doing. Will anyone interview them? Hmmmmm

    1. Dr. Erwin Jackson
      Dr. Erwin Jackson

      You can count on that. Some have visited me and I have assisted in acquiring legal representation. Reductions should begin at the top -not the bottom! Let's see how many employees who were fired had filed complaints about the city ?

      1. Joe West
        Joe West

        Erwin,
        I admit I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer, could you maybe explain to me how vacant positions save money?
        I kind of understand it the position were filled there would be expenses incurred, but if it is vacant how does closing that position bring about real savings to help with the 4.7 million dollar shortfall.

  11. LaurienewinTally
    LaurienewinTally

    FINALLY! I'm learning about the real Tallahassee.

    But I want to go to The Edison. What is the issue with that place?

    1. Preston Scott
      Preston Scott

      Go...before it closes! LOL. Seriously, The Edison was financed in large part with taxpayer money. One of the partners was Mayor Andrew Gillum's campaign treasurer - he has also been the focus of many questions and dealings and, perhaps, the FBI has interest as well. I had restaurateurs look at the business plan The Edison owners submitted to get their sweetheart deal with the City and all said the projections were not remotely realistic. The goals could never be achieved, but because of insider connections - they got taxpayer funding. Eventually, desperate ownership brought in a seasoned pro to help get things on track and he left very, very quickly. Fast-forward through the life of The Edison, the turnover, the controversy, the hidden "investors," etc. and you see why many will never darken the doors of the place. It was a mistake from the beginning.

  12. JimInTally
    JimInTally

    Maybe the city will provide them a going-away dinner at the Edison...right...

  13. James Anderson
    James Anderson

    It is a start. How about another 200 welfare workers. Most don't have real jobs.

  14. Bruce
    Bruce

    The price of The Edison = 38 city employees

    COT has plenty of money if the mayor and commission chose to manage it ethically.

  15. Doug
    Doug

    It amazes me how many city employees make more than state agency heads who are responsible for statewide programs and thousands of employees and budgets of hundreds of millions or billions of dollars.

    Time for the city to pay the geographical prevailing wage!

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