The Lincoln city council is asking labor unions for its more than 200 workers to consider a two-year pay freeze.
If that doesn’t happen…dozens will be laid off as the city tries to avoid bankruptcy.
Capital Public Radio's Steve Shadley reports...
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Lincoln Mayor Spencer Short says the city is facing a 1.5 million dollar shortfall. So council members have ordered the city manager to negotiate a pay freeze with labor unions. If there’s no agreement…at least 43 city workers…from managers to custodians will be laid off.
Mayor Short says the city may have to let eight police officers go…
“I believe that our police force will be able to manage…we will be paring back some operations…but we will still be focusing on drugs and gangs and any sort of crime that could lead to violence…”
Mayor Short says the Lincoln City manager and Fire Director have agreed to a five-percent pay cut to help ends meet. He says if the city doesn’t cut spending soon…it could find itself filing for bankruptcy next year.