Oakley suspends Planning Commission, adopts furloughs to trim budget

OAKLEY — The Oakley City Council approved several cuts Tuesday night, including worker furloughs, in an effort to save money on the city's relatively strong balance sheet.

The council adopted several recommendations from city staff to shore up $273,090, including implementing staff furlough days and removing the Planning Commission.

The council said it would assume most of the commission's duties. The commission could return in the future.

In addition, most city employees will be furloughed every third Friday of the month beginning March 20 until June 18, 2010. Employees also will be furloughed from Dec. 21 through Jan. 1, 2010, for the holidays. Certain police department and limited service employees designated by City Manager Bryan Montgomery will be exempt.

The council also elected to forgo a yearly pay increase in order to preserve community grants for certain events throughout the year.

Nearly $11,000 saved from the raises will go towards donations to the city's annual Almond Festival, FLW fishing tournament, and to sponsor the first "Relay for Life" event by the American Cancer Society in Oakley.

"I think it's important," Councilman Kevin Romick said, "even in financially difficult times, that the city maintains its presence in a number of events that are held annually." The council adopted the recommendations 5-0.