The number of Hamilton County workers who could lose their jobs to balance the budget should be known by Friday afternoon, according to Commission President Todd Portune.
Commissioners are expected to vote on a final budget Monday.
When Administrator Patrick Thompson proposed a budget in November, he recommended eliminating over 900 positions.
Portune says a hiring freeze and retirements have significantly reduced that number, but several hundred people will have to be let go.
The Department of Job & Family Services has already trimmed 186 workers from its payroll, according to spokesperson Brian Gregg.
Sheriff Simon Leis plans to close the Queensgate Correctional Facility by Monday, forcing the layoff of 87 corrections officers on Christmas Eve. Spokesperson Steve Barnett says there still could be other job cuts across numerous divisions.
While numbers could still fluctuate for other departments, Portune says other workers could be let go in the following areas:
70 - Common Pleas, Municipal, Juvenile, Domestic Relations and Probate Courts34 - Clerk of Courts11 - Facilities Maintenance10 - Recorder "It's incredibly tough because the people who are being laid off in most cases have worked for a number of years for Hamilton County," Portune said. "They've given great service. They've been dedicated, loyal employees."
Portune believes there won't be layoffs in offices of the treasurer, auditor, engineer or coroner.
A recall list is being prepared to rehire laid off person as the economy improves.
