Arts, Parks And Libraries Bear The Brunt Of 472 Furloughs As City Of Dallas Reacts To Pandemic

“I’ve lived through two furloughs, but this is looking like the worst we’ve ever had to endure.”

By Bill ZeebleMay 11, 2020 10:00 amCoronavirus, Government & Politics, Health & Science, KERA, Partner Organizations, Texas Newsroom

Tony Gutierrez / Associated Press

Word came down from Dallas City Hall on Friday that 472 city workers would be furloughed. The vast majority are from the city's parks, libraries and cultural departments.

From KERA:

The City of Dallas will furlough 472 workers starting next week because of a pandemic-spurred budget crunch — and by far the biggest impact will be on the parks, libraries and cultural departments. The Office of Arts and Culture alone will lose more than half its 60 employees.

Overall, the move affects less than 4% of the city’s 13,000 workers — but more than a quarter of the 900 parks and recreation staffers will be furloughed, as will nearly half of the 400 library workers.

The furloughs of employees deemed “non-essential” were announced Friday. They will take effect Wednesday and last at least through the end of July.

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