Grand Rapids City Manager Gregory Sundstrom says a shortfall in the city's budget is forcing him to lay off about 125 employees.

Around 70 will be police officers and firefighters.

Sundstrom said Tuesday the layoffs are needed by Jan. 1 to fill a $9.2 million hole in the city's current fiscal budget and a $27.4 million deficit in the next fiscal year, which starts July 1.

He tells The Grand Rapids Press that the city's budget can't be balanced without laying off emergency personnel.

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The job cuts will reduce city staffing levels nearly 25 percent from 2002 levels.

WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids reports that the number of city departments is being trimmed from 24 to 15.