City Privatizing, Cutting Jobs

The legislatively mandated property tax rollback continues to reverberate through local governments. The City of Tampa announced a second round of personnel cuts and departmental consolidation.

Earlier this year, the City of Tampa eliminated more than 200 jobs due to property tax rollbacks. But, Mayor Pam Iorio says those were one time savings. More revenue cuts are needed.

So, the city is changing how it does business. For example, it is privatizing janitorial and security services and consolidating contracts for mowing and maintenance. There are 11 changes that will mean the loss of 100 positions.

And, this is just phase one. Iorio says additional phases of the three-year plan could mean additional staff cuts.

It will take about six months to implement the changes. The mayor estimates the savings will amount to $3.4 million annually.