Bellone pares Suffolk County layoff list

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone on Friday shrank the list of 460 impending layoffs by 70 while still saving a planned $35 million by substituting other jobs.

Included in the new jobs on the chopping block was that of Bellone's wife Tracey, a $110,000-a-year deputy parks commissioner.

Deputy County Executive Jon Schneider said the list is still "a work in progress" and that talks are ongoing with county legislators and department officials. He said a final number of layoffs, job restorations and substitute cuts will not be available until Monday, the eve of the county legislature vote.

"We are looking for the best list that works governmentally," said Schneider. The 2012 budget called for 460 layoffs as of July, saving $11 million this year and $24 million next year. The revised list was developed after lawmakers expressed concern that former County Executive Steve Levy, who compiled the original list, cut crucial or highly aided jobs.

Schneider said the new list restores 100 of the 145 department of social services jobs that were slated to be axed. Many are child protective service and welfare case workers whose jobs are 80 percent to 100 percent grant-funded, and whose services are mandated.

The administration also saved the job of its only cartographer -- mapmaker -- in the Department of Fire Rescue and Emergency Management. The employee provided maps during recent brush fires. Schneider said that job will be saved by laying off a worker in information technology.

Bellone's wife, deputy parks commissioner for the past eight years, is on maternity leave after the delivery of the couple's third child. "The county executive is prepared to lead by example," said Schneider. "No one is exempt from the pain."

If lawmakers do not vote Tuesday for Bellone's proposed changes, Levy's 460 job cuts will take effect, administration officials said.

Legis. Wayne Horsley (D-Babylon) deputy presiding officer, said the tentative revised lists, were delivered to lawmakers Friday afternoon.

"At the end of the day, the legislature will support this number because it saves jobs," he said. "Either they approve this list or go with one that has more people on it."

However, Legis. Edward Romaine (R-Center Moriches) said many lawmakers only got the list at the end of the day. "If all our outstanding questions can be answered, we can vote Tuesday," Romaine said. "But if some questions go unanswered we may need more time. We want to be careful with those lives we affect by laying them off."