Colton city officials say they have no choice but to lay-off 60 full and part-time employees -- from animal control officers to police department clerks -- and the city plans to close three of its libraries.
"It's a fact we're seeing all over California. It's a victim of the economy and what's tragic is the library is being shut down," said Colton resident Brad Adkins.
Signs posted on locked doors at the Colton libraries are encouraging residents to call the City Council and protest.
Colton has a $5 million hole in its budget for the current fiscal year that's impacting every city department.
The cuts are expected to save $4 million in the current fiscal year, which ends June 30, 2010.
The city is leaving the door open to employee unions to accept a 15 percent pay cut to head off additional layoffs or reverse some of this week's actions.
Layoff notices were scheduled to be handed out Thursday. The city did not disclose when the layoffs will be effective or when the libraries will shut down.
