The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors last week voted to freeze hiring for 900 vacant full-time positions in hopes of avoiding personnel layoffs in the future resulting from a $32 million shortfall in revenues for fiscal 2008.
A slowdown in the Phoenix-area economy could result in additional revenue shortfalls in fiscal 2009, according to information presented to the supervisors before the vote.
Vacancies in some critical departments, including public safety and health, can be filled if reviews by county officials determine the spots are vital. Maricopa will honor all job offers made before the hiring freeze was approved.
All elected officials, assistant county managers, department directors, and presiding judges have been asked to show how they could cut their fiscal 2009 budgets by 5% to 15%.
