More county workers laid off in Hernando

BROOKSVILLE -- Six workers in Hernando County's Development Department were laid off Monday due to the continuing slump in new construction.

A free-standing department that pays its costs through the revenue it collects, the Development Department has been gutted since the all-time high in permit numbers in 2005. The department had 86 workers in 2006 and laid off 10 people 11 months ago. Through attrition and the additional layoffs Monday, the number of department employees now stands at 34.

In 2005, Hernando processed more than 4,000 new single-family home permits. By 2006, that number had dropped to approximately 2,800. The number was closer to 800 in 2007 and about 400 during the past year.

"It's a sign of the times for certain,'' said Brenda McDaniel, executive officer for the Hernando Builders Association.

She called the layoffs "understandable,'' given the current climate. "We've seen it in our own member companies. They've had to let people go. There's just no work.''

Barbara Behrendt, Times Staff Writer

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Comments

[windowsugar]

I can hardly wait until this happens in Tampa. They all got BRAND NEW trucks and basically seem to drive around sticking their noses wherever they WANT TO STEAL THE PROPERTY and you'll find them ganged up in local county parks.
Great use of taxpayer money, Tampa!!!
It's all going to unravel now. Hope you're all happy with whom you crawled between the sheets.

[Opinion Master]

it's about time. Could never understand how they send 2 trucks and 5 guys out to put up one sign, with one shovel...and take 3 hours to do.

Now, if they go by what Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton has planned for teachers and schools:
I own companies, and some of our companies we've had to go back and look at some of our employees and say, 'look, I can't keep everybody employed at the level that we're paying you. If everybody is willing to take a cut straight across the board, we can all continue to work,'" Bennett said.

and get rid of some of the fat off the top... (double, triple dippers as well, right where your at there, Senator Mike)