Coast city budget cuts force worker layoffs

OCEAN SPRINGS — Ocean Springs will lay off 12 employees because of budget cuts as the city approaches the adoption of its fiscal year 2010-2011 budget.

The Sun Herald reports it remains undisclosed as to what departments will be reducing personnel.

On Aug. 3, Mayor Connie Moran and the Board of Alderman adopted a layoff and recall policy for the city.

Mindy McDowell, the city’s human resource director, said that the policy was a proactive measure put in place because the city did not have such a policy.

City Clerk Shelly Ferguson said the city experienced losses in property tax revenue and sales tax revenue, which led to changes in next year’s budget.

She said the city plans to adopt its new budget on Sept. 15.