LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Mayor Greg Fischer said that Louisville's intensifying budget woes linked to the coronavirus pandemic has led to furloughs for 380 employees starting May 3.

School crossing guards and Louisville Free Public Library employees are among those placed on unpaid status, Fischer said during his Friday afternoon briefing.

"We'll try to get everybody back to work" as quickly as possible after the crisis subsides, he said.

The rise of the virus forced Jefferson County Public Schools to close facilities and transition to remote learning for students. The main library downtown and other branches also were shuttered last month, idling dozens of employees who handle operations and other in-person services for residents.

Kentucky coronavirus map:How many coronavirus cases are in Kentucky?

The city's total workforce includes 5,678 people, which includes seasonal and temporary workers. The furloughs will affect 282 library employees and 98 crossing guards, spokeswoman Jean Porter said in an email.

Fischer originally announced 280 employee furloughs, but the figure was corrected later Friday afternoon by the mayor's administration.

Several metro employees have been transitioned to grass cutting crews, maintenance and other roles. But with the "dwindling workload" for employees and a worsening budget picture, Fischer said, the city needed to furlough workers whose positions don't allow for remote work.

The mayor mentioned several groups of essential workers, including police, firefighters, corrections officers and EMS workers, who have stayed on the job. Hundreds of other employees have been working from home offices.

The city has already begun bracing for the fallout from extending tax collection deadlines. This week, the Metro Council's budget committee opened discussions about having the city borrow up to $240 million to fund operating expenses, a step rarely needed to meet cash flow needs. The short-term debt is seen as a way to get by until tax collections roll in.

The city's budget wasn't in great shape to start the year and before the pandemic hit. Louisville Metro Police Chief Steve Conrad warned early this year that the 1,200-officer force may be slashed by dozens before the current fiscal year ends June 30 because of a ballooning pension bill and what's now become chronic budget shortfalls.

Conrad has undertaken a reorganization to shrink some departments to get by with less money.

Also:Norton Healthcare to run hotline for nursing homes for questions about COVID-19

Grace Schneider: 502-582-4082; gschneider@courierjournal.com; Twitter: @gesinfk. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: courier-journal.com/graces.