More hits to city staffing

The city of Chico is cutting loose 11 employees as part of its second round of layoffs this year.

Among the workers who are unable to “bump” down into other positions—that is, displace other employees with less seniority—is Capital Project Services Director Tom Varga, who has been in that post for nearly seven years, though he has been with the city much longer.

Other casualties of the layoffs include Terry Rogers and Ronald Baker, engineering technicians, Tracy Bettencourt, an environmental planning manager, Norm Westlotorn, an information systems technician, and Shawn Tillman, a senior planner.

Meanwhile, City Attorney Lori Barker, a longtime employee, announced last week that she’ll be retiring next spring. Barker (pictured) was hired as assistant city attorney in 1990 and was promoted to the top legal post six years ago.