Sunnyvale City Workers Spared From Layoffs
SUNNYVALE (KCBS) — It was a brutal week for many Bay Area cities that had to layoff workers and slash programs to balance their budgets for the new fiscal year. But that wasn't the case in Sunnyvale.
KCBS' Mike Colgan Reports:
Sunnyvale city employees can count themselves among the lucky ones.
Sunnyvale Councilman Tony Spitaleri said he doesn't expect any layoffs right now and that they've been able to cut back services and generate the revenue to keep people working.
Spitaleri explained how the city's 20-year financial plan has made them able to stay ahead of the game.
"We look out 20 years, what things are going to cost and can we afford it? Will the revenues match those 20-year expenditures?" he said rhetorically.
Spitaleri added if it doesn't add up they're reluctant to move in a position where they're spending more than we can take in," said Spitaleri.
Another driving force in the Sunnyvale economy is that it houses some of the biggest tech companies in the Silicon Valley, including Yahoo and Lockheed.
"They bring other people with them," Spitaleri said. He added that often times companies look to move next door to the tech companies and start ups seeking opportunity and to build relationships.
The councilman said Sunnyvale has had the ability to evolve and stay current by changing its face from Agriculture to engineering and now high tech.
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