Layoff notices were sent to 31 Freeborn County employees Friday whose jobs could potentially be affected by a state government shutdown, Freeborn County Administrator John Kluever said Friday during a special workshop.

The layoffs will become effective in two weeks if not otherwise rescinded.

The affected employees include 19 in the Public Health Department and 12 in the Human Services Department.

In Public Health, this includes all employees except the Women, Infants and Children program, two support staff and the director of the department.

In the Human Services Department, this includes all staff at the Crime Victims Crisis Center, two staff in the options program, one employee with child protection, four social workers and one case aid worker.

Kluever said during the next two weeks he and department heads will be gathering more information about how the shutdown will impact them and evaluate if any of these employees will be able to stay on. The union required a two-week notice.

He said there is a likelihood that before the notices become active the total number of employees affected will be reduced.