Major layoffs averted in Jackson County

The county learned late last month state budgets cuts were being passed down to them at $4 million. The three departments losing employees are the Jackson County Assessment Department, the Prosecutor's Office and the Sheriff's Office.

 

In the Assessment Department, 18 employees took the buyout, three were within their probationary period and one was seasonal. In the Prosecutor's Office, 13 employees took the voluntary resignation program. Only one person will be laid off in that office. Two employees in the Jackson County Sheriff's office came forward to take the buyout; the third was reassigned. 

 

 Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders is pleased he didn't have to make several layoffs.

 

"It's really tough to think that you're going to have to look 40 people in the eye who you've gotten to know over the last seven to eight years and tell them they no longer have a job," Sanders said. "Those are tough moments."

 

The 34 employees who stepped forward to take the buyout, which is affective immediately, will get six months of health insurance. And depending on how long they've worked for the county, they will receive between six to 14 weeks of severance pay.