WARREN, Ohio - While the Valley’s private sector is plagued by layoffs due to coronavirus closures, the City of Warren has not furloughed any employees according to Mayor Doug Franklin.  However, that doesn’t mean city workers will escape furloughs.

In a letter emailed to 21 News, Mayor Franklin stated that he and other city leaders are working with the auditor to monitor income tax revenue.

According to the Mayor, state law only allows public employee layoffs due to “lack of funds” or “lack of work”.

Before sending layoff notices, the city would need to file documents with the Civil Service Commission supporting the rationale for the layoffs.

Because of the lag time in the collection of income tax, the Mayor says it isn’t possible at this time to provide the Civil Service Commission with data that would support layoffs.

Franklin notes that a plan to offer voluntary layoffs to the city’s largest union was scrapped after only one employee volunteered earlier this month.

The Mayor says some employees are working at home and no one working for the city has yet been infected with COVID-19.

Other than city buildings being closed to the public, the Mayor says residents will not see any difference in the level of service.

“Our police continue to patrol our streets; all three fire stations remain open; garbage is being picked up on time, streets are being maintained safe drinking water still flows and wastewater is being treated.

Youngstown Mayor Tito Brown told 21 News "everything is on the table" when we asked about the potential of permanent layoffs as this pandemic and its ripple effect on city finances continue.

Youngstown leaders are already asking non-first responders to volunteer for a temporary lay-off.