Elgin laid off 19 people and cut 29 total positions Friday in an effort to close a budget gap.

The move is the last part of a plan to cut $2.8 million from the budget. Elgin, which takes five year forecasts of its budget, predicted that its deficit would have grown to $13 million in 2016 if city officials did not take immediate action to reduce expenditures, said City Manager Sean Stegall.

Of the 19 employees cut, three chose a voluntary buyout option, which allowed the city to cut less employees than it had originally anticipated, Stegall said.

A deputy police chief, senior recreation supervisor and public services director all took the voluntary buyout option, which gave them two months paid salary and six months of health insurance.

Of the positions cut, 22 were full-time and seven were part-time.

Twenty of the city employee positions eliminated were non-bargaining positions, including the assistant fire chief, the Eastside Recreation Center program manager, public safety information officer, public works supervisor for community restitution, water maintenance supervisor and human resources adviser, as well as some seasonal positions.

Nine bargaining unit positions were eliminated, including two police officers and public safety telecommunication positions, which were not filled at the time.

The 2012 budget went into effect Jan. 1 and the city needed about a month to prepare for the layoffs.

“It’s always a very sad day,” Stegall said. “My thoughts are just with the people that unfortunately were part of this.”

The public shouldn’t be affected by the cuts, as city employees will take on more responsibilities and work more hours, he said.

None of the positions will be refilled at this time, Stegall said.

The city budget was passed in December and included new taxes on alcohol, utilities and refuse.