Public Employees \”Layoff Plague\” Spreads: Camden County Could Eliminate 300 Jobs

Last year the county announced its civilian employees, including public works, parks and recreation, health department, clerical staff and others, would be furloughed 14 days but that number was later reduced to four.

Cappelli said the county entered the year with an approximately $41 million shortfall. Because of a 2 percent cap on property tax increases, Cappelli said the county could at most only make up $17 million of the deficit through a tax increase. Cappelli said it hasn\’t been definitively decided whether that will occur.

Karl Walko, president of Camden County Council No. 10, said Friday that his membership, which was also furloughed last year, fears the furloughs will ultimately lead to layoffs, whether it\’s this year or next. In that case, Walko said it would be better for the county to lay workers off now rather than dragging out the process.