Citing a $5.4 million projected budget shortfall for the next fiscal year, the City of Somerville announced on Friday it has cut 29 positions, comprising 13 existing staffers and 16 vacant openings. Laid-off employees will be placed on administrative leave through the end of June, according to the statement.
City spokesperson Grace Munns confirmed that two of the 13 layoffs affected union employees. She would not specify which departments lost positions but said the new cabinet-level arts council leadership position promised by Mayor Jake Wilson in February would not be affected. There are, however, no open arts council positions listed on the City’s jobs portal as of this writing.
More details about staff changes, transfers and layoffs will be shared when the City submits its FY27 budget book, Munns said, which is expected on June 4…