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Segarra Consolidating Some City Offices

At Least One Job Will Be Cut As Result Of Streamlining

Jenna Carlesso

September 01, 2010

Since taking office in June, Mayor Pedro Segarra has pledged to reduce city staff and streamline government operations.

On Tuesday, he announced that he would consolidate several departments and at least one job would be eliminated.

In a meeting with city department heads, Segarra outlined staffing changes and structural reorganizations that are underway at city hall.

•The office of capital assets will be merged with the department of public works.
•The office of human relations will be merged into the office of corporation counsel
•Certifications for workforce and for minority and women business enterprises will merge with the procurement services department, to be overseen by the city's chief operating officer, David Panagore.
•The office of management and budget will now oversee the 311 office, where employees handle the city's non-emergency information phone line.

The position of director of human relations, held by Lillian Ruiz, has been eliminated, said city spokeswoman Sarah Barr. Ruiz was not offered another job.

In addition, the size of the mayor's office will be reduced, though it was unclear how many jobs would be affected. Barr said Segarra is aiming for a $250,000 reduction in the mayor's office budget.

"The city charter does allow for experimentation by the CEO of the city during the fiscal year in order to meet new demands and goals," Segarra said in a statement. "Changes need to be made for the betterment of the organization."