ATLANTA (AP)- The city of Atlanta is cutting another 222 employees and closing the majority of its recreation centers to cope with an expected $50 million budget hole.

Mayor Shirley Franklin announced the cut Tuesday. She said the
layoffs will begin mid-month and will not affect police and fire departments.

Almost half of the cuts will come from the parks, recreation and
cultural affairs department. The city plans to keep 11 of its recreation centers open. The cuts are expected to save about $14 million.

The rest of the shortfall will be met by cutting work schedules by 10 percent and taking $12 million from the city's rainy day fund.

This is the third round of job cuts for the city this year.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)