Grand Rapids cuts 125 city jobs

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - Kent County recently announced it is looking at more than 100 job cuts.

Now the county's largest city finds it is having a similar problem.

Grand Rapids city leaders are trying to dig out of a big budget hole. The city commission discussed the situation Tuesday morning.

The city will be cutting 125 positions. 69 of those are police officers and firefighters.

The City of Grand Rapids is facing a budget deficit of nearly $28 million for the year beginning July first.

Grand Rapid's City Manager says its been a horrible process.

"I can only tell you that I am personally devastated. I have never had to do anything like this. This is certainly the saddest days of my life," said Grand Rapids City Manager Greg Sundstrom.

The cuts are the result of declining income tax revenues which are on pace to fall 15 percent, and the year is not over.

Some are also blaming state lawmakers for taking revenue sharing payments away from cities.