Workers asked for cuts to avert layoffs

SPARKS -- Sparks City Council members are asking employees to again accept a pay freeze and concede benefits next fiscal year to prevent layoffs and reduce part of a $1.7 million budget shortfall.

Officials say if the wage freeze isn't accepted, layoffs could mean longer response times for police and firefighters, closed swimming pools and less park maintenance.

Employees agreed to the equivalent of an overall cut of 4.2 percent in wages for the current fiscal year.

Council members voted Wednesday to ask unions to continue that reduction for 2010-11. The fiscal year starts July 1.

City Manager Shaun Carey says that even with pay and benefit concessions, the city would face up to a $900,000 revenue shortfall.