By Marc Blaine, News Channel 3 Anchor
mblaine@kesq.com

CATHEDRAL CITY -  It's never good news when somebody is going to lose their job.  Harry Jones of Cathedral City, a plumber by trade has been out of work for a good year. 

When he learned Cathedral City is bracing to lay-off city staff members as part of cuts to trim the budget by 3 million dollars, he could obviously relate.  

"I feel sorry for them.  Nothing you can do, when there's no money there's no money.  What can you do?  You can't give out money that you don't have; simple as that." 

And it's a simple fact Cathedral City finds itself in its latest financial bind due to a state money grab.  As California wrestles with balancing its budget, it's projected it could take anywhere from 16 to 22 million dollars in funds away from Cathedral City over the next 2 years.

"It's a combination, they're taking from property tax revenues, sales tax, gas tax, the redevelopment agency.  Just a number of funds they're doing in order to accumulate this money," said Cathedral City Councilman Greg Pettis.

The job cuts the city is looking at will affect all departments.  That means police as well as fire personnel are not immune to the layoffs.   Still, if at all possible city leaders hope when it comes to police and fire; staff reductions won't affect public safety.  

"Certainly both departments we have code enforcement.  In fire department that has a direct affect on blight of the community.  Police department, you have lots of education programs.  Gang prevention, graffiti those kinds of things," Pettis added. 

And for right now, those services are expected to cease or be drastically cut back.  Cathedral City resident Larry Piunti said.  "It is a concern it is with our safety and our buildings and everything else.  Like I say, we've got some great people working for the city and I  think they're gonna be able to handle it." 

That said, the employees left will be spread thin.  The layoffs are likely to take effect January 1st.