The question looms among city officials in the Lake Travis-Westlake area: What steps are needed to help assuage potential budgetary damage brought about by the COVID-19 crisis?
So far, area officials have reported no layoffs have taken place, nor are staff reductions being considered, but measures are already underway to, as much as possible, slow city coffers from being drained too quickly.
“We already run a tight ship in Rollingwood and do not plan to lay off employees,” Rollingwood City Administrator Amber Lewis said. “Besides police with nine employees and public works with three employees, our departments consist of one employee.”
Lewis said all city employees are considered essential and are critical to ensuring continued operation during the public health emergency.
“That said, we are mindful and aware that this is a difficult time for everybody,” she said. “In response to this difficult time, effective immediately, we will be freezing spending at the city.”
Going forward, only those expenditures considered essential will be approved, according to Lewis, and employee travel and training will be restricted to only that which is essential.
Not every city has begun budgetary planning with regard to COVID-19 fallout. Lakeway Communications Director Jarrod Wise said at this time, there have been no layoffs, nor are there plans for staff reductions or other budgetary restrictions.
In West Lake Hills, no layoffs or staff reductions are under consideration, but a mid-fiscal year budget amendment will be considered by council as a part of regular business, according to Travis Askey, West Lake Hills city administrator.
“If necessary, adjustments specific to the coronavirus impact will be included,” Askey said.
Bee Cave officials have also not laid off any employees off and are not considering city staff reductions, but City Council members have already made and are planning to make other budgetary considerations.
