Birmingham, AL – Jefferson County commissioners are looking at layoffs and other moneysaving measures to try to balance the budget.
The County Commission's Finance Committee voted Wednesday to lay off 207 county laborers immediately after a vote of the full commission is taken next week. The committee also voted to suspend pay raises for all county workers covered by the merit-employment system. The county also plans to halt purchases of office supplies.
Alabama's most populous county has been hit by declining tax revenues due to the recession and a judge's ruling that voided the county's occupational tax.
The county government has about 3,600 employees.
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