City to cut, furlough workers as tax collections lag

MERIDIAN — Meridian Mayor Cheri Barry says 15 to 19 city workers will lose their jobs and the rest of the employees will be furloughed one day each month.

The Meridian Star reports the city’s expenses have risen as tax collections have declined.

Barry says city revenue fell from $14.1 million two years ago to an estimated $12.6 million in the current fiscal year, which began Oct 1.

Barry says no police officers or firefighters will be laid off, but support staff in both departments will. She says the head of each department decided which positions to eliminate and which to keep.