Some told the council during a budget workshop on Monday that morale is low among employees, while others took issue with the budget process and perceived micromanaging.
While most city employees held their tongues during the tense discussion, many were unable to conceal their emotions. Some nodded along in agreement, some sat with arms crossed and looked frustrated and others nervously watched.
"My men feel like the city's redheaded stepchildren," Robert Ellis, water and wastewater treatment plants director said at one point.
Ellis took issue with a statement by Mayor Matthew Block that 10 people are waiting in line for each city job. He added that at the same time his staff was concerned over the possible loss of benefits, including city 401K contributions and dental insurance.
While city council has not cut either benefit, a meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday will reevaluate both benefits, along with retirement health insurance and any other benefit that is not mandated by the state.
Ellis said these concerns are shared by most city workers. The municipality employs more than 160 people.
Cindy Carpenter, city finance director, told council that a number of employees had expressed concern to her over their benefits. She added that, without city council deciding the future of these benefits, she can not give employees a clear answer.
Dee Hammond, interim city manager, told council they should consider doing something for city employees since the merit pay was cut and employees would not get a cost-of-living increase.
Several department heads also took aim at the city's approach to the budget.
At a June 1 budget hearing, Councilman Herbert Rainer told city employees to cut their budgets by 5 percent, adding "You can do what we ask, or your replacement can."
Department heads said they grilled again when forced to cut necessary expenditures from their budgets to meet council expectations.
Ellis said it was unfair for council to "browbeat" department heads for following directions.
Bill Riemer, director of administration and community development, said it appeared that council was acting as manager without knowing the details of the individual departments.
"We have a council-manager city government," Riemer said.
Howard Smith, Laurinburg fire chief, told council that it is difficult to explain to staff why the budget cuts are necessary.
"We aren't in the same situation as the state," Smith said. "We have a balanced budget. Why do we need to cut a balanced budget?"
Councilman Tommy Parker said that, in these difficult financial times, city residents are asking for deeper cuts. He added that the local unemployment rate is over 17 percent and the city is avoiding layoffs.
Councilwoman Amanda Faulk said it was not council's intention to micromanage the budget. She attributed the higher level of scrutiny to the lack of a permanent city manager.
Councilman Curtis Leak said blamed the state of the budget on former City Manager Craig Honeycutt.
"I'm not going to say Craig didn't do a good job, but he didn't do a good job," Leak said. "If he was still here, he would get his 60 days notice."
He took issue with Honeycutt keeping Council out of the loop on important issues, pointing to the delinquent payments by Schoollink.
The company owes a total of $96,755.94 to the city as of the council's May meeting.
"Now we need to get our lawyer, or a new lawyer, to settle it," Leak said.
Leak added that Schoollink was just evicted from their Fayetteville office.
Still Chief Smith insisted that he is committed to the city, regardless of his opinion on the budget.
"I have dedicated my entire life and I am still dedicated to the city of Laurinburg," Smith said.
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