Durham mayor hints at layoffs

DURHAM In his State of the City speech Monday night, Durham Mayor Bill Bell warned public employees to "find new and effective ways" of performing their jobs of face the possibility of layoffs.

Bill said the city's departments are under orders to cut as much as 10 percent in spending. He also warned that sales taxes will be flat or down.

The Mayor said the City will try to minimize layoffs "but nothing is promised." Durham will focus on core services.

The Bull City is facing a budget gap between $25 million and $40 million. Other cities in the state also are facing budget shortfalls because of lower tax collections in the slumping economy.