Faced with a projected $16.4 million budget gap for next year, Costa Mesa administrators have proposed cutting 51 full-time jobs and 26-part time positions. Alternately, the 51 full-time positions may be reduced to part-time.

The bulk of the cuts would come from the city’s employee association. Concerned with this prospect is senior maintenance technician and president of the Costa Mesa City Employee Association Helen Nendal.

“We all need to take the same direct hit,” said Nadal.

City Manager Allan Roeder responded, “We honestly don’t look at it in terms of how many positions from each of the represented associations would be affected. We are looking at it in terms of what it means for reductions in programs and services.”