Aug. 19--DALTON, Ga. -- The City Council unanimously decided to cut 27 jobs Monday night from the Public Works Department.

To trim the city's budget, the council approved a plan to offer early retirement to seven to 10 eligible workers. Officials said if 10 accept early retirement, 17 additional jobs will be cut.

Mayor David Pennington said 94 people work in the department and the cuts will save the city about $1 million. The city is in negotiations with Whitfield County to have the county handle all of the city's road paving to offset the labor reduction.

Several residents voiced concerns about the cuts and the future of employee pensions. Gary Baggett said he has been a city employee for 23 years and urged council members to delay the decision on job cuts until the future of pensions can be studied more. City resident Randy Mayfield also urged the council to wait and "have some compassion."

"Love of money is the root of all evil, and you have to watch it," Mr. Mayfield said.

Under the plan employees who accept early retirement will receive 0.0192 percent of their weekly base salary for each week they have been employed by the city. It will be paid in a lump sum and not count in the calculation of retirement benefits. The retiring employees also will be paid unused vacation and sick time, which will count toward retirement benefits.

The city will give the employee credit for up to two years for retirement purposes. This credit may be applied to years of service or age or a combination of both. The retirement offer expires on Sept. 22.

Public Works employees who are laid off by the city will get .0192 percent of their base weekly salary for each week they have been employed.

In other business at Monday night's meeting at City Hall, the council unanimously approved a controversial annexation of 5.94 acres on Tibbs Road near Kmart and Steak & Shake. The land is zoned commercial and potentially will host office buildings and a restaurant. Under the agreement with property owner Charles Campbell, 1.8 acres of the tract were donated to the city for greenspace.

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