Richmond officials eliminate 21 positions after 2026 budget discussions

The announcement made Friday, Oct. 31, eliminates 21 positions. A news release said those employees being laid off were notified Friday, but city officials will not identify the positions eliminated nor the individuals affected.

"There will be changes in how the city operates, in how it provides services to the community," Oler's release said. "It will take considerable time to reassign duties to other members. We ask the public to be patient as we work to create our new normal with fewer members fulfilling new responsibilities."

On Oct. 14, the city enacted a hiring freeze, which Oler said will remain in place as long as necessary and that only positions deemed to be essential will be filled.

The release added that the city has lost more than $120 million in property tax caps since they were enacted in 2010 and that it will lose an additional $6 million in 2026. Senate Enrolled Act 1, past this year by Indiana's General Assembly, also reduced the city's revenue by $1,484,760. The news release also identified that as a cause of the reduction.