Mayor Dave Cieslewicz said in his blog Thursday he plans to continue the city's freeze on hiring through all of 2010 because of decreased budgets throughout the city.
A freeze stops the hiring of new employees, but in this case the city has used what Cieslewicz called a ""soft freeze,"" allowing some positions to be approved for hiring after mayoral review.
According to Rachel Strauch-Nelson, spokesperson for Cieslewicz, he implemented the hiring freeze in May but is stressing it now because of the operating budget he is currently working on.
""It's obviously a very tough budget,"" she said. ""Our city comptroller is projecting a $4 million shortfall at the end of the year, and with the freeze we'll save money.""
Cieslewicz said in his blog the city is expected to save approximately $1.5 million in the 2009 budget because of the freeze.
Strauch-Nelson said although the freeze includes all city agencies, the mayor will allow hiring of police officers and firefighters and instead focus on limiting administrative positions.
