KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Layoffs are looming in the city of Kissimmee. City employees are worried because of a $2 million budget deficit and the city manager has made it clear he wants to cut jobs.

At this point, only the city manager knows for sure how many will be laid off, and he was in a budget meeting all day Friday, but the agenda for Tuesday's commission meeting asks commissioners to vote on a potential layoff policy.

Word of the first layoffs in 20 years has city workers anxiously holding their breath.

"It's difficult on everyone. But we're just trying to, like I said, stick together and do our work as best as possible," said city employee Megan Shepherd.

Kissimmee City Hall is saddled with a $2 million deficit due in part to lower property tax revenues. For months there's been a hiring freeze. Nineteen jobs have already disappeared through attrition, with more to come.

City commissioners are being asked to approve a layoff policy that would offer affected employees a three-month severance package. One commissioner Eyewitness News spoke with said she plans to do the right thing for the city's fiscal health.

"It's nice at least to have a severance package, where before the policy was silent about it," said Commissioner Cheryl Grieb.

But Commissioner Carlos Irizarry said he wants to see the city manager's budget game plan before agreeing to sign off on what he calls a blank check for job cuts.

"My vote will not be yes if I don't have any other plans," Irizarry said.

Five years ago, the city had plenty of extra money and it went to boost police and fire services. Any cuts are not expected to hit essential workers. A clearer layoff picture will likely emerge in June.

Separately, no decision has been made on replacing one of the two deputy fire chiefs. Mike Gurley resigned last week after just a year on the job, citing personal reasons.

All this comes at the same time the city is budgeting $75,000 to retain two lobbyists in Tallahassee.