Sedgwick County commissioners were told Wednesday that 222 county employees have applied for furloughs as the county faces financial challenges related to the coronavirus outbreak.

The applications were filed by 198 full-time and 24 part-time county employees, and they will find out Friday if their application has been accepted.  The furlough is expected to run from April 19th through the 23rd.

County department heads are considering the furloughs, and county manager Tom Stolz said some employees may be denied because they are considered to be essential.  He praised the employees for stepping up to do what is best for the county organization.    He said no one wants the furloughs, but they are necessary because of a reduced workload, the need for fiscal responsibility, and a goal of stabilizing the organization.    Stolz said a goal is to avoid layoffs for this year and next year, and he wants to protect the jobs and careers of county employees.

Stolz said there may be a need for another furlough in the fourth quarter of this year, and he said there will continue to be issues for the county budget going into 2021 and 2022. He said there will be a time and a place when all employees will be asked to make sacrifices.