City of New Bedford Puts 45-Day Hiring Freeze into Effect

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — The Mitchell Administration announced today that the City of New Bedford is putting a hiring freeze into effect across city government in what it is calling a “belt-tightening” move.

Residents are also warned that they will feel an impact with a “reduction in service levels.”

“The City has begun delaying the filling of vacant positions across city government as part of a new round of budgetary belt-tightening,” according to a release. “As of Thursday, February 6, all new job openings are being placed on hold for 45 days before departments are allowed to advertise and receive applications for the vacant positions.”

The 45-day delay will keep the hiring freeze in effect until the end of the current fiscal year.

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“Our focus during the first half of the fiscal year was on methodically scouring individual department budgets, but that exercise only gets you so far without across-the-board measures like hiring delays,” Mayor Jon Mitchell said.

“Blanket delays or freezes can be very disruptive to operations, and there are certainly real-world consequences felt by residents, but in the current circumstance, it’s a necessary measure,” he said.

The City said the freeze is applicable “to the positions of all city employees, exclusive of public safety dispatchers, School Department positions, or positions funded by sources outside the City’s General Fund.”

It also will not apply to staffing of the police or fire departments, as no training academies will graduate cadets prior to the close of the current fiscal year.

However, the City’s Chief Financial Officer Robert Ekstrom said there will be an impact felt by residents.

“New Bedford residents may notice a reduction in service levels, longer wait times at City Hall, or other delays as vacant positions go unfilled, but the reality is we have an obligation to do our very best to ensure against year-end deficits,” he said. “This is an essential part of our financial management strategy.”

New Bedford City Council President Shane Burgo issued the following response:

"The decision to delay hiring for vacant positions is a familiar approach to managing budget constraints. While fiscal responsibility is always important, it’s worth noting that the City has operated with staffing shortages for some time, and residents have already experienced the effects of those vacancies. Given that no staff are being terminated, it’s unclear how this delay will result in a noticeable change in service levels.

The City already lacks the necessary workforce to provide optimal service levels, and residents have felt those effects for quite some time. This hiring delay doesn’t change that reality; it simply continues the status quo. However, despite these challenges, the individuals who work for our City do an amazing job. They work incredibly hard – often taking on the responsibilities of two people – to keep this City running. Their dedication and perseverance do not go unnoticed, and I am deeply grateful for their continued service to New Bedford.

The City Council has been committed to ensuring that taxpayer dollars are spent efficiently and effectively. Our recent efforts to rein in unnecessary spending reflect that commitment, and we will continue working to balance financial responsibility with the need for quality City services.

We must continue advocating for responsible budgeting that prioritizes the needs of our residents – not unnecessary spending disguised as fiscal management."