As a reaction to the economic distress of COVID-19 and the ongoing pandemic, the Yukon City Council has amended the current fiscal year budget in an “austerity measure” that will mean a hiring freeze and cutbacks in all departments.
The council approved a $604,338 reduction to the budget. The budget is about $51 million for the current fiscal year. Mayor Mike McEachern said there will be 2% cutbacks across the board.
“In light of the present circumstances and in anticipation of potential, prolonged economic distress, the City of Yukon is implementing a variety of austerity measures such as budget cuts, as well as purchasing and hiring freezes,” reads a memorandum to the city council from city treasurer Philip Merry.
The city council approved the measure with a unanimous vote.
“Every department has been asked to reduce their budget by 2% insofar as possible without eliminating positions or sacrificing vital civic services,” the note reads.
