San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders says the city could save $4 million a year by trimming the environmental services department. That department is planning job cuts. KPBS Radio’s Andrew Phelps reports.
Sanders wants to immediately cut 36 jobs -- that’s 14 percent of the workforce from environmental services. That department handles recycling, hazardous waste disposal and trash collection. Most of those jobs are currently unfilled, and Sanders says the cuts would not degrade the quality of services. But Sanders didn’t dwell on the job cuts for long. Standing near noisy garbage trucks at the Miramar Landfill, the mayor touted high-tech improvements that would streamline operations.
Sanders: The aggressive implementation of computerized routing, wireless fleet tracking, and integrated data management has already allowed the Environmental Services Department to substantially cut costs.
Any department changes require council approval. The mayor now turns to the wastewater division and fire department for more budget cuts. For KPBS, I’m Andrew Phelps.
