Sarnia council will be asked Monday not to fill vacant positions or hire students and seasonal workers this year.
Mayor Mike Bradley said the recommendation from staff is being offered as a way to mitigate lost revenues as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"It's 164 positions, 20 full-time vacancies that won't be filled, two part-time positions, 113 students and seasonal people and 29 contract, which is related to crossing guards which obviously aren't needed, due to the school situation," said Bradley.
The most difficult part Bradley said , is the potential loss of seasonal and student workers.
"One because it gave them employment and helped them with their schooling costs, also it kept the city looking very, very good, along the waterfront and through all our parks. It's going to be radically different this summer, unless we're in a position in July or so to move foreword and do some hiring to offset what's happening in our parks system."
Not filling the positions would save close to $575,000 and holding off on non-essential capital projects would save $1.8 million.
"The projects being cut in capital can all be re-examined in 2021 or 2022, but it's needed to be done to try to save as much money as we can, because we haven't hit the storm yet. The real storm will come when businesses and people can not pay their property taxes."
Staff are recommending that gypsy moth spraying, transit facility renovations and other projects be cancelled.
The city has lost about $700,000 in revenue from waiving Sarnia Transit fees, cancelling events and paying other unforeseen expenses.