Health Department offers buyouts amid Oklahoma budget crisis

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — At least 100 employees of the Oklahoma State Department of Health are expected to take a buyout that includes a $5,000 lump-sum payment as the agency looks to avoid potential layoffs amid a budget crunch.

Health Department officials confirmed Friday that 101 retirement-eligible workers already have accepted the voluntary-buyout offer that was made to 317 of the agency's 2,258 employees. Employees have until Feb. 29 to accept the offer.

The offer includes a payment equal to 18 months of health-insurance premiums, a $5,000 incentive bonus, the employee's longevity pay, and the payout of accumulated annual leave.

The agency projects 100 buyouts would cost $2.6 million, with annual recurring savings projected to be $7.2 million.

The University of Oklahoma and Department of Human Services also are preparing buyout plans.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.

The Gayly- 2/12/2016 @ 3:12 PM CST