The retirement incentive comes on the heels of a hiring freeze. The city faces a more than $330 million projected budget deficit heading into the next fiscal year.

In a letter sent to city employees Thursday, Whitmire wrote that the city will be offering a “one-time Voluntary Municipal Retirement Payout Option” to employees who are eligible for retirement. The plan will include financial support and access to healthcare benefits, Whitmire wrote.

Houston is offering voluntary buyouts to retirement-eligible employees to tackle budget challenges while avoiding layoffs.

Whitmire wants to implement a hiring freeze in the city government. As of September, the city had nearly 5,000 vacant positions.

The mayor told ABC13 that public safety, including Houston's fire and police departments, will be spared, but all other departments will be subject to the hiring freeze.