By Nate Smith, Staff Writer
City employees will not see a pay raise in 2010 as the Washington City Council started its yearly budget hearings Tuesday.
While city workers received a 3 percent raise this year, several positions throughout city departments have not been filled to make up potential budget shortfalls in 2010.
“The services aren’t going away,” Mayor Larry Haag said during the hearings. “(We are going for) the same service at the less dollar.”
The council looked at about $318,350 in cuts from the 2009 budget, close to the $500,000 the city has to cut, according to budget estimates during the property tax debate.
Already for 2009, attrition has limited positions on the city payrolls. Two positions at the police department, two at the street department and several part-time positions have not been filled and may not be filled in 2010.
What has helped the budget, Clerk-Treasurer Elaine Wellman said, was the elimination of a pay period in 2010. This year, there are 27 paydays, instead of the usual 26. In 2010, there are 26 paydays, which has helped save more than $100,000.
One of the hardest hit departments during the budget crunch has been the police department. One officer, Ptl. Eddie Fiscus, left earlier this month and a dispatcher was dismissed. Because of the officer shortage, Haag and Police Chief Steve Riney are considering changing the schedule from three eight-hour shifts to two 12-hour shifts with an eight-hour “power shift” to be used during peak hours.
“That’s something we are working through with the chief,” Haag said. “That decision hasn’t been made.”
Haag said the idea came from other cities which have instituted the schedule to save money without letting officers go.
Although a decision has not been made, officers were informed of the possible change Monday. Other meetings with Riney and the shift captains are planned for this week.
Riney said he has lost one officer to military commitments and may lose as many as three to the reserves in 2010.
“I’ve been chief a year and seven months and we’ve not been at full staff that whole time,” Riney said.
“They are going to be in the cars,” Haag said. “There’s going to be safety. You’re not going to please everybody.”
At the fire department, one new firefighter position asked for this year was not filled and will not be in 2010.
Fire Chief Dave Rhoads told council members that two firefighters may retire in 2010, reducing the force. There was no discussion on hiring new firefighters to replace the ones that may retire.
Rhoads also asked for another truck but even he said “I anticipate that not happening.”
Members of the police and fire unions are to present their budget requests to the council on Monday during the next regular council meeting.
Other than a lawnmower for the parks department, the only big ticket item requested was a new trash compactor.
Street Department Superintendent Ernie Evans said one of its packers is nearing its retirement age and needs to be replaced.
Evans has also seen loses in his department, with two workers leaving and another two due to retire in January.
“We cut this one pretty good with the employees,” Evans said.
Also up for a major cut will be the Advanced Manufacturing Productivity Center. The center receives $50,000 in funding from Economic Development Income Tax funds but is at risk of losing it.
“At this point, I don’t see (funding it),” Councilman Art Biddinger said.
Other projects in the EDIT budget included funding for sidewalk paving. The city is looking for a grant that will pay for most of the repaving of Main Street sidewalks.
The budget will be discussed at a Council meeting on Monday and at meetings in September.
