Lauderdale Lakes Budget Crisis

More than three dozen employees of Lauderdale Lakes could be receiving an unwanted gift this holiday season -- a pink slip.

The city faces a major budget crisis and is proposing to cut $2.28 million dollars. The city plans to eliminate 40 positions -- about one third of the city's workforce.

"We were told to prepare for the worst," said city spokesperson Monique Armbrister, whose position is on the chopping block. "It's not a happy mood, not a happy time."

According to the budget documents posted online at the city's website -- www.lauderdalelakes.org -- the city saw its' property tax revenue drop by 21% this year, leaving it deeply in the red. The city owes the Broward Sheriff's Office $4 million for services and blames part of its' budget crisis on increases in BSO's contract. 

The city manager admitted the cuts will bring a "significant reduction in workforce and services." Many departments -- Finance, Human Resources, Parks and Recreation, Community Development, Social Services and Public Works -- would be affected.

The city is considering reducing its' services from BSO and possibly hiring an outside company to handle its' code compliance efforts.

City Commissioners will hold a special meeting on Friday at 5 pm to consider the budget cuts.