The president of North Dakota United says state employees who are members of the organization are concerned about what might happen when state agencies are ordered to cut spending.
A slowdown in oil and agriculture will likely cause Governor Dalrymple to order budget allotments – that will be at least 2 ½ percent for general fund agencies That has to happen before Dalrymple can use the budget stabilization fund to cover other shortfalls.
"Right now, there's an awful lot of talk," said ND United president Nick Archuleta. "It's not based on facts just yet."
Archuleta says employees have a deep concern about whether the raises allocated to state employees by the last Legislative session will actually be available to the workers. The raises would average about three percent.
Archuleta says there's also concern about how this will affect employee numbers.
"I would suspect that some agencies will not fill some open positions, saving some money there," Archuleta said. "Others may look at one-time projects. And still others may have to look at personnel, saying 'This is where our greatest expense is, and this is where we could do some cutting.'"
But Archuleta hopes agencies will be able to make cuts without layoffs.
"It is already very difficult to hire people into the public employee sector," said Archuleta. "If you're going to see some drastic cuts made there, those jobs become even less desired by folks looking for work."
A new state revenue forecast will be out soon. Archuleta says state budget director Pam Sharp told North Dakota United board members she will hold a meeting with agency heads February First to discuss the budget reductions.
