Watsonville to vote on two-year budget plan

WATSONVILLE, Calif. (KION-TV) - The Watsonville City Council is talking about their budget with the possibility of voting on a new two-year plan that could cut jobs and increase public fees to avoid a budget shortfall.

This new two-year plan would permanently cut 14 vacant city jobs amid the current hiring freeze.

It would also increase hourly rental fees at city-owned facilities such as the Watsonville Youth Center, Veterans Memorial Building, and Ramsay Park Family Center.

The city's airport is also expected to increase its hangar rental and storage fees.

These cuts avoid larger budget gaps in the future, as city expenses have risen, especially employee salaries and insurance costs.