The three most recent layoffs include Redevelopment Manager Bob Clements, Senior Administrative Clerk Heather McKinney, and Mo Skinner, a clerk in accounts payable. Oak Park has made continuing cuts throughout this year in response to slumping tax revenues.

The layoffs would save Oak Park about $170,000 over the course of an entire year or close to $250,000, including benefits, says Village Manager Tom Barwin. Two employees were laid off in Building and Property Standards last month because of lower-than-expected revenues from building permits.

The duties of Clements, who was responsible for overseeing development and village-owned properties, will be picked up by the Oak Park Development Corporation and the Business Services manager, Loretta Daly, at village hall. Clements was with the village for 12 years.

McKinney (two years) and Skinner (17 years) will see their duties picked up through reorganization of staff at village hall, according to Barwin.

With 22 layoffs since the start of 2008, village hall is left with a work force of 389 full-time employees and 38 part-timers. Barwin says the village is down about 40 positions, through a combination of layoffs and attrition, since he arrived in 2006.

Village staff plans to present a proposed 2010 budget to the board either on Sept. 21 or 28. That will include some combination of tax and fee increases and expense cuts to balance it. Barwin declined to outline specific cuts and increases at this early stage.

Before the five most recent layoffs, staff was projecting a 2010 budget deficit of $1.7 million.

"I'm not waiting for the board to take all this in, and wrestle with these tough decisions," Barwin said. "I'm making some of the reductions now because I think the timing is appropriate."

-Marty Stempniak