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Local News

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

CORRECTED: City budget proposal calls for 47 layoffs
Hancock Federal Credit Union
By JOY BROWN

STAFF WRITER

Findlay could lose 47 of 370 city workers, including 20 firefighters, if 2010 budget cuts that administrators propose are implemented.

The proposed gouge out of the general fund would also force the closing of two of the city's four fire stations, and Riverside Park pool, City Council's Appropriations Committee was told Tuesday night.

According to Auditor Robert Sprague, administrators compiled a $21.2 million general fund budget for next year, or several million dollars less than this year's budget, by averaging the amounts each department received from 2006 through 2008, which were termed "more normal years" that didn't involve budget cuts. Also, some departments' 2010 allocations were adjusted to reflect cuts already made, like health insurance elimination for council members.

Then, cuts were made. There is no across-the-board departmental reduction like the 9 percent cut that department heads were asked to make last spring. Instead, the administration's budget proposal calls for cuts ranging from 18 percent ($1.2 million less) in the fire department; to 11 percent in the mayor's office; to 2.5 percent less in computer services.

The budget estimates include a nearly $1 million state Justice Assistance Grant, which Safety Director Jim Barker said will enable the city to retain 13 police officers for 17 months, thereby sparing the police department from layoffs.

Sprague said the city "has every intention" of finding money for the $313,000 match required to accept the grant.

The grant was the only good news amidst a bad fiscal year that appears to be growing worse thanks to increased expenses for a wide range of goods, and reduced business and individual income tax collections. The city expects to have a $4.9 million imbalance between revenues and expenses by the end of this year.

The city intends to apply for a federal grant that would help retain firefighter jobs, but details about the grant have not been released, Barker said. And at best, funds would not be received until next year.

The ax will fall earlier than 2010, officials said Tuesday.

Administrators said they intend to send out layoff notices at the beginning of September in order for layoffs to take effect Oct. 1.

Barker said the fire union "has been asked to consider" rethinking its 4 percent raise for next year that was included in a negotiated contract. Fire Chief Tom Lonyo said forgoing that raise would save about $290,000, or four jobs.

No mention was made Tuesday of the city's plan to ask voters to approve an income tax hike in November. Revenue from that half-percent tax would erase the need for some cuts.

If the tax passes, the city would collect $14 million total over a two-year period, but it would be dispersed to the general fund budget over a six-year period. The 2010 budget would then be capped at $24.3 million and still include "some layoffs," officials said.

The Appropriations Committee, comprised of a majority of council members, hesitated Tuesday when asked to recommend that council approve, alter or dismiss the proposed budget.

Committee members and administrators batted back and forth whose responsibility it is to determine which cutbacks should be made to which departments.

Three council members on Tuesday claimed it is not council's responsibility to "micromanage" city finances.

"I don't work with the budget day-to-day. These are the kinds of things the administration has to look at," said Councilman-At-Large Randy Ward.

First Ward Councilman Mike Slough said council members should simply refer angry constituents to administrators.

"Last year we cut out $28,000 for crossing guards and people were calling saying we'd be letting kids get killed crossing the streets," Mayor Pete Sehnert responded. "So we found the money. But no one was here in my office trying to find out how to find it. I said I didn't want to do crossing guards. I was overruled. So some of it is on you," he told Slough.

"Are you going to again tell them (residents) we can find the money for this or that, and then wait on me to try to find it? I'm just saying we need some support. I'll take the heat for it," Sehnert said.

Talk also turned to staffing cuts, which the budget numbers presented Tuesday did not detail.

Along with a possible 20 firefighter layoffs, Service Director Bruce Hardy said the engineering department could lose three positions; four from parks, cemetery and municipal building maintenance crews; and two recreation department administrators.

The cuts that Barker and Hardy mentioned Tuesday did not reflect all potential layoffs, but committee members said they needed that information to make an educated decision about whether to recommend the proposed budget to council for its approval.

More information on layoffs is expected to be presented to council members at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Municipal Building's third floor conference room, prior to council's regular meeting at 7:30 p.m.

Councilman-At-Large John Urbanski and 2nd Ward Councilman Randy Van Dyne said they also wanted examples of whether the administration and department heads have considered options like outsourcing work to private firms.

"There are always other alternatives. If we can show the community that we've looked at every opportunity possible, then we have a strong leg to stand on at the polls. Otherwise they'll say we haven't done our job," said Urbanski.

"Any place that there's extra (money) to move around, or if you feel this is as lean as you can go, we need to be able to defend that," Ward told the administrators. "If you say, 'this is the best we can do, and it's going to cost us 20 firefighters,' you're going to get my support."

Barker pointed out that along with the average 9 percent reductions in department budgets this spring, plus furlough days and other line-item cuts, "there are over 50 positions in the city that have gone unfilled due to attrition, deaths, retirements and resignations over the past few years.

"I think the community needs to realize that to maintain good schools, businesses and infrastructure... takes a little more money than what we have."

After the meeting, Barker, when asked if pay cuts were being considered, said the city is also "looking at implementing furlough days again next year" for administrators. "I don't know if the mayor will want to do that city-wide or departmentally," he said.

"We can't keep going around and around," Sprague said during the nearly two-hour meeting. "At some point we have to come together and agree on a general direction that we want to go."

"The clock is ticking," said Lonyo, expressing concern about fire department employees having to wait longer regarding layoff decisions.

Proposed 2010 budget reductions, as presented Tuesday, are posted online on the homepage at www.thecourier.com



EDITOR'S NOTE: This story corrects an earlier version to report the percentage of cuts in computer services to 2.5 percent and the proposed maintenance crew staffing cuts to four.



Brown: 419-427-8496,

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25 Comments (3 pages)

Latest comments listed first.
Ed Harrington wrote:
RE: Reader
“ There is no minimum manning in any of the contracts: Police or Fire.......Hence the layoffs. Get your facts straight! ”
Thursday, August 13, 2009 1:23:31 PM
Brian wrote:
Just a shot of sense. . .
“ I am truly concerned when we have council members stating that it is not their job to micro-manage, or for that matter know the budget. How do you make an educated decision for the citizens you represent. What happened to checks and balances? I for one when making decisions for my family try to make the best possible decisions based on the facts. For example, when choosing a car for my family and I, I don't necessarily take the salesman's word for it. I look at safety standards, fuel efficiency, and many other things on my own so I can make the best educated decision that fits our family's needs. It appears our elected officials have no checks in balances in place for what the other legislative authority is doing. But, how can I forget that everything gets passed that the administration suggests. Rubber stamping is not the best form of leadership or representation.
There is also no doubt inexperience is some cause of the problem. For instance, an auditor who recommends spending millions of dollars (on paying down debt) when he supposedly is the Conductor of a train that saw the bridge was out. People including elected officials listen to him as if the world is coming to an end. There is no doubt that the revenue of the city has fallen off, I don't disagree with him there. However, when I look at the proposed cuts published on this website (thanks to the Courier for that) I notice some interesting things. For one, the Auditor is only taking a 6.8% cut, while other departments are taking significantly more. He is no doubt the budget numbers guy however will not lead by example and is taking a small cut compared to many. Like the fire department, police department, council, and rec. Why are other departments (administration) taking significantly less while our public safety are taking significantly more. I understand that these departments are the biggest and therefore become an easy target. Contrary to that they are the very people that protect the citizens and provide a basic yet complicated service that the citizens expect. Meanwhile, our city leaders open the pool, continue street projects, fund Greater Findlay, (all while knowing the bridge was out).
Please allow me to way in on the income tax proposal. It seems that many citizens do not agree with the way the elected officials handle the finances and there seems to be some concern there, ("they haven't been good stewards with our money") and I don't disagree. Why doesn't the city just own up to the reality that this is a police and fire tax. If they would dedicate the funds specifically to assist in getting through the revenue problem and not take away from the safety of our city I think I would be inclined to support such a tax, only because it hamstrings them into not spending the money elsewhere and allows for the safety of the community to remain at the status quo. Furthermore, since it is only a two year tax hopefully it will get us through some rough and inexperienced leadership. I see from reading the blogs that there will be plenty of people lining up to run for these elected positions (we will soon see). My suggestion is don't sacrifice safety, lead by example, know your job and study the facts, and cut no essential items from the budget not our police and firefighters. By knowing your job I specifically mean for the elected officials learn the budget and YES talk to your constituents don't pawn them off on others and play the blame game. Council you are elected by the people, for the people, represent their concerns and do not leave them unprotected! A little shot of sense is necessary in times such as these! ”
Thursday, August 13, 2009 12:03:12 PM
Reader wrote:
Income tax
“ Don't fall for the scare tactics the city is pulling.
1 Question we should ask is before the City went on a hiring spree. When the tax money was flowing in faster than they could spend it. HOW DID THEY MAN THE FIRE STATIONS. The minimu man power is something the Unions dreamed up with the help of the Fire Chief! ”
Thursday, August 13, 2009 8:56:38 AM
dh wrote:
City Budget
“ What a shame-the Courier and Council cannot blame this on the local Democrat office holders!! Well, so much for the fiscally responsible Good Old Boys group. ”
Thursday, August 13, 2009 6:33:24 AM
J wrote:
Future
“ Findlay has been a financial disaster for years, but constant growth covered it up. Now it is time to pay the piper. Revenue has to go up (more taxes) and expenses are going to have to go down (layoffs,wage cuts and reduction of benefits) if this city is going to survive. It may be years before this city starts growing again. Look at Tiffin and Fostoria they still haven't come back to their glory days, and Findlay may have the same fate. ”
Thursday, August 13, 2009 12:45:55 AM
concerned taxpayer wrote:
citys budget
“ Its my opinion if the City of Findlay would like to save wasted money, maybe its time to consider combining the safety and service positions again. Unless a certain military and Sheriff's Office retirement packages aren't enough. ”
Wednesday, August 12, 2009 11:37:19 PM
Loki wrote:
RE: Its Time
“ If you think more money should go to the city, even though their past expenditures have been very bad choices(The Cube, Iriti's Folly), they have a thing called donations, use it and give as much as you want.
I've taken nearly a 50% pay cut over the last 2 yrs, and now expect to take a larger tax burden so that the city can continue to waste money on things not part of their duities and not provide what they are legally entitled to do.
Streets, fire protection and police police protection. These three areas are the first things the clowns in office cut to scare the citizens of Findlay into giving them more tax money.
No more... ”
Wednesday, August 12, 2009 10:22:09 PM
Increase Taxes wrote:
No it's not time
“ Yes my income is down 20% over the last two years now raise taxes. Will they lower the tax rate when things get better? Get that in writing. ”
Wednesday, August 12, 2009 9:37:46 PM
ITS TIME wrote:
Budget Cuts
“ Can someone please tell me what your gonna do when this income tax goes down to defeat and they close 2 fire stations and stop plowing snow this winter. Oh Ya I remember your home owners insurance will go up because of the lack of fire protection. Schools will close more often because of unsafe roads. After all its only lifes that the firefighters are saving.And as for the roads this winter they had better be safe for me to drive on so I can get my kids to school.And myself to work to support my family. I think a 1/2% income tax increase is worth all that. SO I say we vote YES on this 2 year tax increase. Keep FINDLAY a nice place to live... ”
Wednesday, August 12, 2009 6:37:54 PM
Loki wrote:
RE: Jeff Detmer
“ Thank you Jeff for running.
I am an independant with conservative leanings, but I want more people people to run. I am tired of only the same Republicans running over and over, and go unopposed every November.

The job of running this city isn't just for the lawyers or business owners, but We The People, the common citizen. ”
Wednesday, August 12, 2009 2:40:56 PM
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Little Rock Nine

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