Des Moines to cut city jobs

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/article/20091203/NEWS01/712039867

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- The manager of Iowa's largest city will recommend cutting 55 jobs from the payroll.

Des Moines City Manager Rick Clark says "easy" budget cuts were made last year. In 2008, Des Moines cut 88 jobs while trying to overcome a $6 million budget shortfall.

Now, the city must cut $11 million within two years to balance its budget.

Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie says the city will not raise property taxes. Cownie says the city must cut its general fund spending, of which personnel costs are by far the biggest piece.

The city employs about 1,800 people

City officials and leaders of the union that represents city employees are discussing possible concessions on wage and benefit packages.