Hennepin County managers get unpaid leave

(AP) - Hennepin County department directors will have to take three days of unpaid leave in 2009 to help relieve the county's budget crunch.

County Administrator Richard Johnson says the economic downturn has resulted in both a rising need for county services and significant cuts in state and federal aid to the county.

The county has 30 department directors that will be affected by what amounts to a 1 percent pay cut. Johnson is asking an additional 310 county managers to consider voluntary unpaid leave as well.

County Board Chairman Mike Opat says the move is difficult but necessary. He says the current economic situation is worse than most county officials have ever seen.

County board members previously froze their own salaries at last year's level.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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