YOUNGSTOWN - In an effort to reduce the financial burden on the City of Youngstown caused by the coronavirus pandemic 81 city employees have agreed to voluntary furloughs.

Among those taking the furloughs are 60 full-time and 21 part-time city employees.

Last week, Youngstown CIty offered the voluntary furloughs to employees. 

Kyle Miasek, interim finance director, said the decision will save the city around $4,000 per full-time employee and about $1,500 per part-time employee per month during the furlough.

The overall savings the decision will have is around $270,000 per month of the furlough. 

Furloughs began Monday and are expected to last until June 30, where there will be a review of the situation and further extension could be possible. 

Those who took the furloughs have been told they won't be out of work longer than July 31. 

Employees who took the furloughs will be able to keep their medical coverage while paying their 10 percent premium. The city will not be paying into employee pensions during the furlough.

Furloughed employees will be eligible for state unemployment benefits and those who qualify will be able to collect the extra $600 in additional unemployment benefits awarded through the CARES Act.