As the city moves to reduce spending to make up for an anticipated $580,000 revenue shortfall, some employees are adjusting to a move to new positions at Westbrook City Hall.

Measures to save money before the end of the fiscal year on June 30 will include work schedule changes to reduce overtime in the public services department, reductions in programs and services such as adult programming at the library and economic development initiatives and fewer purchases of supplies and equipment, City Administrator Jerre Bryant said this week.

Earlier this month, the city eliminated nine positions at City Hall, which led to job changes among some staff members. Two employees whose positions were eliminated had the option of taking different jobs from employees with less seniority.

The assistant code enforcement officer, whose position was eliminated, took the job as deputy city clerk, who took a part-time job as the public safety receptionist. A customer service representative, whose position was eliminated, took over as assistant city clerk.

As city staff tries to make up for the eliminated positions, those who have taken on new jobs are also being retrained.

City Clerk Lynda Adams, who has to train two employees in new positions, said the past few weeks have been hard on City Hall staff.

“It’s just been a difficult time for everybody involved,” she said.

Adams said all she asks is for residents to be patient when they come into City Hall. She said last week was her toughest yet on the job.

“It was hard coming in here for everybody. This week is better. We’re getting through it,” she said.

Council President Brendan Rielly said he was disappointed that positions were eliminated. He said he would rather have seen a 1 percent salary reduction for all employees.

“When we make cuts, the people that get affected the most are the low man and low woman on the totem pole,” Rielly said. “I wanted to spread the pain as equitably as possible.”

At a Finance Committee meeting last week, Rielly proposed having city councilors and the mayor return their salaries to the city for the rest of the year. He hopes the City Council will take a vote to do that at a meeting Monday.

Though the savings won’t be much, as councilors make just $3,000 per year, he said, “it’s a good symbol and message to send.” The mayor’s salary is $6,500.

Now that the spending reductions for the rest of this year have been identified, city officials are starting to think about the next budget.

City Councilor Mike Foley, chairman of the Finance Committee, said he’s planning on holding a dinner meeting for the City Council and the School Committee to start those discussions at the end of the month.

In terms of additional layoffs coming with next year’s budget, Mayor Bruce Chuluda said, “I don’t have a crystal ball.”

However, he is sure about one thing.

“I don’t look forward to this budget process,” he said. “It’s going to be a challenge.”

City adjusts to staff, spending changes