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Fort Carson prepares for budget cuts
Posted: 02.20.2013 at 5:46 PM
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FORT CARSON, COLO. -- Fort Carson officials announced on Wednesday that they are prepared for near-term funding cuts.
Officials said they are now conducting 'prudent planning measures' to make sure Soliders and their families receive the highest level of services despite the cuts.
Notices were sent to legislators on Capitol Hill by the Department of Defense (DOD) that civilians emoloyed with the group could possibly face a furlough of up to 22 days starting in late April. The furloughs were noted as being the last resort.
The base currently employs about 3,000 DOD civilians that could potentially be subject to the unpaid furloughs with the near-term funding cuts, according to officials. Those civilians, if affected, would be provided at least 30 days notice before the furlough begins. Officials said they are committed to making sure the furloughs are carried out in a consistent and appropriate manner.
"The command here deeply appreciates the hard work our civilian workforce carries out daily to keep our country strong and secure," officials said in a statement. "We are confident that our stellar civilian workforce will continue to provide the best services possible within the constraints a furlough presents."
Fort Carson, according to officials, has already been enacting ways to reduce facility sustainment costs while prioritizing life, health and safety. In January, Fort Carson informed the facility sustainment contractor of a possible 50 percent cut in funding. Since then, a civilian hiring freeze was put into effect and non-mission essential temporary duties, professional training and travel were curtailed.
"Fort Carson remains committed to practicing good stewardship with our funding."