NEW: COVID-19 impacts Abingdon operating budget resulting in furlough of 77 town workers

Abingdon Town Manager J. Wayne Craig announced Monday 13 full-time and 64-part time employees have been furloughed as a result of budget cuts forced on the locality due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The reduction has also resulted in a hold being placed on all non-essential spending such as travel, training, and equipment purchases.

Craig also says the current budget has a $2.8 million reduction and no funding for non-profit groups but he says the town’s finance committee could consider limited dollars for some agencies that can provide evidence of hardship.

The manager also said a final decision will be made by the town council in either July or August to acquire another $2 million in bonds to finish construction of a planned sports complex.

(PHOTO: Town of Abingdon, Virginia / Facebook)