La Quinta to lay off 22 city workers

The city of La Quinta was expected to send out lay off notices for 22 city workers Thursday after the city council voted to shed roughly a quarter of the city’s staff Wednesday.

City manager Frank Spevacek said, “”This has been a very tough decision and an unfortunate action that we had to take.” Spevacek added, “Given the realities that the city has been facing, we need to make sure that we live within our means.”

The cuts were aimed at helping the city’s nearly two million dollar budget shortfall.

The layoffs will take effect January 17th and were set to be across the city departments except for public safety.

Employees will have the option of re-applying for four new positions set to be created.

At one time the city was one of the fastest growing cities in california, processing development and with a very active capital improvement.

The city is now seeing reduced capital improvement and reduced building so the demand for certain services at city hall has been reduced.