Pleasanton To Pursue Layoffs, Cut Library Hours: Report

PLEASANTON, CA — Pleasanton will move forward with layoffs and cuts to city services in response to budget issues, the East Bay Times reported.

Last week, the city council voted to lay off two employees, reduce library hours and limit parks maintenance to fill a $12 million shortfall in the city's two-year budget, the newspaper reported.

The city is potentially facing a $100 million budget deficit over the next eight years with holes between $12 and $22 million.

The largest cuts will affect Pleasanton's public library, forcing the facility to close on Sundays and reduce weekly hours from 62 to 48. This will save the city $830,000 in the first year and another $940,000 the next year, according to City Manager Gerry Beaudin.

The two layoffs coming up will affect a police department public communications coordinator and a library worker, according to Lisa Harlow, an AFSCME Council 57 union representative for city workers.

The layoffs are the first the city has had in 100 years, she said.

“To be the first council to make such a decision would be a deeply disappointing departure from the city’s commitment to the well-being of this community and its workforce,” Harlow said. “This action risks eroding the trust and morale of the employees who have dedicated years to the city.”

Read more from East Bay Times: Pleasanton lays off workers, guts library hours to plug budget hole