This in from Norm Cummings, director, Department of Administration:

Waukesha County is preparing a mandatory, unpaid furlough program for 2010 aimed at alleviating shortfalls in the 2010 County budget.  The County Board will review and vote on an ordinance regarding the program at the October County Board meeting.

The state of the current and forecasted economy necessitates the need for the program.  Due to the current economic recession and the increasing demand for county services tied to rising unemployment, the furlough days are needed to balance the county budget without compromising service delivery.

“As we develop the final stages of the 2010 County Budget, it is clear that these furlough days are needed,” said Cummings.  “This is the best way to meet our budget challenges while minimizing the impact on the high quality services provided to Waukesha County residents.”

In June, the county implemented a voluntary unpaid leave program to help manage its 2009 budget.  The program was highly successful and is projected to save the County almost $80,000.  Based on this experience, it was determined that a voluntary program by itself would not address our budget needs in 2010.

Update:

Here are selected portions of the memo from County Executive Dan Vrakas that further explains the proposed mandatory furlough, which would save the county $450,000.

The voluntary unpaid leave program will continue next year as a supplement, but only allow employees to request up to three days unpaid voluntary leave.

The two mandatory days in 2010 are connected with holidays – Jan. 18,2010 (Martin Luther King Day) and July 2.

Courthouse, Administration Center, Health and Human Services Center, and the Public Health Center will be closed on those dates.

“Continuous operations and services such as the Sheriff law enforcement and corrections, Inpatient Mental Health, Juvenile Detention, and 911 Dispatch Operations will remain open and employees directly involved in providing these 24/7 services will not be included in the furlough program,” Vvrakas said. ” However, there will be some employees who work in these locations who may be subject to the layoffs.”

Employees in parks and golf course maintenance, as well as highway and central fleet operations, will be scheduled for alternate dates, which have yet to be determined due to nature of their work and services during the designated dates.

The furlough program is subject to county board approval.  An ordinance will be drafted and presented at the October meeting authorizing the program.