Development Department cuts 10 workers

The construction slowdown forces more layoffs, bringing staff to half its 2006 level.

By BARBARA BEHRENDT, Times Staff Writer
Published January 29, 2008

ADVERTISEMENT Grant Tolbert, director of development services, said that the continuing cuts should not be a shock.

BROOKSVILLE - The continuing slowdown in construction has cost another 10 employees in Hernando County's Development Department their jobs.

Grant Tolbert, director of development services, spoke with the employees Monday to break the news that their positions have been eliminated. The latest round of cuts brings the department down to nearly half the staff that worked there during the building boom in 2006.

Layoffs and attrition have cut the staff from 86 to 47, including the 10 employees who lost their jobs Monday.

Earlier cuts last summer trimmed the ranks of plans examiners, inspectors, office staff and permitting people from employees who had joined the county during the boom. The round Monday cost people who had been more long-term employees.

"Some of these people have been here for some time," Tolbert said. "It's extremely hard to do."

While the county's Human Resources Department is trying to help the workers find jobs elsewhere in county government or in the private sector, Tolbert said he knew that would be tough. Many of his employees came from the same private sector types of jobs that dry up when construction is at a standstill.

Tolbert said that the continuing cuts should not be a shock. "We don't keep it a secret that this is an enterprise department," he said.

The money that the Development Department collects through permits and other fees makes up the revenue the department can spend.

"Our expenses and revenue are monitored. Unfortunately, our biggest expense is salaries," he said.

While the residential building permit numbers began to fall in 2006, Tolbert said he saw commercial permits falling in the latter part of 2007.

"We just have to make adjustments as we can," he said. "I'll tell you, the economy, it just scares me."

Barbara Behrendt can be reached at behrendt@sptimes.com or 352 848-1434.

[Last modified January 28, 2008, 20:47:22]