IAFF:Always on the Front Line

The economy is affecting IAFF members throughout this union through staffing reductions, station closures, cost shifting and wage concessions as local governments lose revenue. To help IAFF members get a clearer understanding of the depth of the financial crisis, the effect it's having at every level of the economy -- including local and state budgets -- the IAFF has prepared the following summaries of and links to "economic crisis" news articles related to cuts in state and local budgets, fire fighter staffing, health care benefits, compensation, pension plans and other areas as a result of the economic downturn.

Firefighters won't get more pay for training
San Diego Union Tribune (02/27/09)
Escondido's financial crisis has claimed another labor casualty. This time it was fire fighters' turn to receive the bad news: a 3-2 City Council vote to cut benefits and eliminate salary increases. As it did recently with other city employees, the council suspended city contributions to fire fighters' 401(k) plans and ended automatic pay increases for advancing up the pay scale. The Escondido Firefighters Association had agreed to those changes.
But the union wanted to the city to maintain pay increases for fire fighters who completed advanced training and education programs. It would have cost the city $21,000 this year. That expenditure also would have carried into future years because the additional pay would have become part of the fire fighters' regular salaries. City negotiators refused to retain the training pay and declared an impasse in negotiations. Mike Powell, a negotiator hired by the firefighters' union, said that fire fighting is a technical profession that demands that fire fighters acquire new skills. For example, he said, fire fighters who want to become acting engineers and captains must be certified to do so. Those who want to be involved in technical rescues also need certificates.

Town May Lay Off Entire Police, Fire Forces
The Boston Channel (02/27/09)
One town may be the first in [Massachusetts] to put its entire municipal workforce on notice for job losses. The central Massachusetts town of Dudley may lay off its entire fire and police forces. All members of both departments received a 30-day notice. "Even if one or two got laid off from a full-time staff of six, it could have a real negative impact," said Dudley Fire Captain David Koneczny. All the jobs at Town Hall are also on the line.
"A little overwhelming, nobody wants to (lay off workers). We want to do our share, but all towns are in the same position," said Cheryl Fiorentino, of the Dudley Planning Department. But in the tiny community of only 11,000 with one of the lowest tax rates in the state, a deficit gap of $63,000 this fiscal year might as well be a $63 million hole.

Cash crunch may lead to cop sharing
San Mateo Daily Journal (02/27/09)
Sharing police and fire services with Millbrae — including the police chief — while eliminating the Burlingame Trolley and cutting some employees may all be part of Burlingame’s plan to cut $3 million from next year’s budget. Last month, Burlingame officials cut more than $700,000 in ongoing expenses. Carrying those over in the next fiscal year will save $1 million — $2 million short of what’s needed to create a balanced budget. Running one less fire truck, reducing library hours and cutting a number of positions like a police records clerk, a city planner and a maintenance worker are part of the plan to cover the shortfall but not fund capital needs. Covering those costs will require further money-saving alternatives like sharing a police chief with Millbrae.
“There are so many police departments, so many fire departments, sooner or later, some kind of consolidation will be needed within departments,” Councilman Jerry Deal said.

Laid-Off Uniontown Firefighters Seek Reinstatement
MSNBC (02/27/09)
Seven City of Uniontown fire fighters, laid off for economic reasons, asked a judge to reinstate them immediately. Those who lost their jobs argue their contracts require notice, something they say they weren't given, but the city contends they have no money to pay them. "We're here right now because we do not have the money to pay the bills. I think right now we have about $15,000 or $16,000 in the general fund and we will be very fortunate if in the next week we will be able to make payroll. It's a sad day," said Mayor Ed Fike. The union attorney said the fire fighters and city residents are in danger. With only two or three fire fighters working at a time, they say there's not enough to perform a safe search and rescue.

Initiative Seeks to 'Outlaw' Brownouts
Alameda Sun (02/26/09)
The city of Alameda initiated fire department "brownouts" on January 26. This action took from service either an ambulance at Fire Station 4 or a ladder truck at Fire Station 2. "Save Alameda Fire Houses" the firefighters' union web site, has statistics available up to and including February 23. The union says that brownouts have occurred on 25 of the 28 days that the policy has been in effect. The site also says that these brownouts have caused 45 delayed responses. It takes 27 fire fighters to fully staff each shift at Alameda's five fire stations. When one or two fire fighters don't report for duty, the city has been "browning out" Fire Station 4's ambulance, which AFD says, "protects the Bay Farm Island area of Alameda." The union points out that the brownout decreases the level of service to the citizens of Bay Farm by 40 percent.

Pontiac takeover looming
The Detroit Press (02/26/09)
Nearly two years after Pontiac's finances first came under state scrutiny, Governor Jennifer Granholm has declared a financial emergency, signaling she believes it's now time for the state to take the reigns. The city has shown a "lack of urgency" in addressing its financial problems, which includes a $7.1 million deficit, Granholm said in an eight-page February 20 letter sent to Mayor Clarence Phillips. Pending a hearing, the governor will assign an emergency financial manager that would have the power to amend or reject budgets, negotiate contracts and reorganize city departments. This is the latest turn in what has been the city's years-long struggle to reduce spending in the face of declining tax revenues and growing unemployment.

Fire department cuts $200,000 from budget
News 8 Austin (02/26/09)
Austin City Manager Marc Ott presented the city council with a final list of budget cuts totaling $20.1 million.
As such, the Austin Fire Department has announced it will cut $200,000 from its budget. The cuts will reduce overtime hours for staff. Starting mid-March, the Austin Fire Department will implement flexible staffing policies in order to cut that money from the budget. According to Austin Fire Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr, flexible staffing will reduce the number of fire fighters on some fire trucks. Currently, the Austin Fire Department has a policy of four fire fighters per truck. Flexible staffing could bring that number down to three on some trucks. Kerr said the reduction would affect the department’s overall efficiency but she also said the citizens of Austin should not see a difference in response time or service. Council Member Mike Martinez, a former Austin fire fighter, questioned the ability of the city manager to make the cut to the fire department's budget because of a council resolution passed in 2007. That resolution passed with a 7-0 vote and directs the city to achieve four-person staffing at each of its fire stations.

Natick departments look to avoid layoffs
MetroWest Daily News (02/26/09)
Three departments facing layoffs presented alternatives to selectmen that could soften the blow to the work force. The first estimate called for the police department to cut 6.5 full-time positions, as many as eight cuts in the fire department and 10 public works staff layoffs -- a total of 24.5 employees in an effort to save $1.2 million. Under the proposals, the number of layoffs would be reduced to 12.5 full-timers. Police would lose one officer and 14 part-timers to make up $358,412. The fire department needs to cut $433,323 from the budget, but layoffs could be reduced to four. The cuts would reduce the number of fire fighters and paramedics on duty from 20 to 19. As a result of the reduction of on-duty staff, Fire Chief James Sheridan said one of the smaller fire stations would be closed about 70 percent of the time.

San Bernardino firefighters union accuses city of 'bait and switch tactics'
The Press Enterprise (02/26/09)
The president of San Bernardino's firefighters union has accused the city manager of "bait and switch tactics" in altering the terms of an informal deal reached last week to help erase a budget deficit. "In short, (Interim City Manager) Mark Weinberg now believes that our concession is not great enough and even though he acknowledges that this was his proposal, he still wants to change several terms of the agreement," union President Scott Moss said in a written statement. "We remain hopeful, however, that the City Council will see that 'bait and switch' tactics in matters of wage cut agreements are a very serious matter," he wrote.

Firefighter Equipment, Manpower Could Be Cut
MSNBC (02/26/09)
With the Nashville Fire Department facing steep budget cuts, there is concern safety could suffer. Cutting resources by 10 percent is the proposal currently on the table for the Nashville Fire Department. The cuts would mean losing 127 people, including 88 fire fighters, 24 captains and six EMS district chiefs. A 10 percent cut would mean that none of Nashville's 38 fire stations would completely shut down, but some equipment could be cut from each station. The president of Nashville's local firefighter's union said a cut in staff will ultimately mean longer response times. "If a medic called, it would take longer to get there," said Doug Conquest, president of the IAFF Local 140. "That would make the safety of the fire department, the members and the Nashville and Davidson County be at jeopardy.

State of the City: Ryan orders 10% cuts in police, fire agencies
Press & Sun-Bulletin (02/26/09)
Mayor Matthew T. Ryan said he's told the city's police and fire departments to cut their budgets by 10 percent, which would likely mean job cuts. The mayor, speaking to about 100 city residents and employees, said next year's budget would include a smaller city work force. He could not promise all cuts would be made through attrition. Ryan said that in December he told Police Chief Joseph Zikuski and Fire Chief Daniel Thomas they would have to cut their 2009 operating budgets by 10 percent in 2010. The mayor said police and fire fighting spending eat up the entire amount the city collects in property taxes, about $30 million.

Firefighters say wage freeze will save lives
NCEN (02/26/09)
With the unemployment line growing, many communities are adopting a wage freeze as a way to cut costs and save jobs. In Quincy, Massachusetts, fire fighters are giving the idea a warm reception, because they say it could also save lives. Quincy is grappling with deep cuts, about $5 or $6 million. With that amount in raises coming due, Mayor Thomas Koch is asking unions to accept a wage freeze. The city's fire department has overwhelmingly said yes. The fire fighters say they will accept because a reduction in force would equal a reduction in safety. The fire fighters union is the first to accept the wage freeze, and it will save the city about $500,000.

N. Providence avoids layoffs of firefighters
Providence Journal (02/25/09)
Mayor Charles A. Lombardi, who had been pushing to lay off 30 fire fighters, instead has reached a tentative agreement with their union that would cut wages, benefits and holiday pay. The accord, reached in Superior Court would provide enough savings to avoid layoffs of any fire fighters.

Quincy firefighters approve pay freeze
WBZ-TV (02/25/090
Fire fighters in Quincy have agreed to a one-year wage freeze to save their jobs. The union overwhelmingly voted in favor of the plan that's predicted to save the city $500,000 and the firefighters 20 jobs. Union President ernie Arienti supports the fire fighters' choice to forego their annual average $2,000 raise.

City manager: Furloughs likely would not be enough
Tucson Citizen (02/25/09)
The Tucson City Council mulled budget cuts for almost 2 1/2 hours but put off decisions, especially about layoffs. Directors of departments financed primarily by dramatically lower-than-expected sales tax receipts sketched futures that included consolidations, service reductions and a "leaner staff." Conversations in the city employee-packed chambers bounced from proposed 12-day furloughs to suggested layoffs and back again as the council grappled with numbers and necessities. Some members cautioned against making cuts that would hurt the city when the economy rebounded. City Manager Mike Hein said he didn't anticipate a recovery any time soon. "I don't see us rebounding," he said. "I don't see us growing." Hein said a proposal to make about 30 layoffs mostly in development-related departments was motivated not only by economics, but by a drive for efficiency.

Richmond Heights Police Department, Shaker Heights Fire Department announce layoffs
The Plain Dealer (02/25/09)
The struggle to balance city budgets has cost the jobs of police officers in Richmond Heights and fire fighters in Shaker Heights. The two suburbs join Elyria, North Olmsted and Garfield Heights, among other communities, where economic woes have led to recent cuts in safety forces. "It's happening all over," said John Mahoney, deputy director of the Ohio Municipal League. "Up to 70 percent of your general fund in a city is going to be police and fire. When you look at making substantial cuts, where else do you go?" In Richmond Heights, layoffs took effect for five full-time police officers, from a total force of 21, plus three jailers, a dispatcher and a secretary. Mayor Dan Ursu said the layoffs came after the city failed to reach agreement with the Fraternal Order of Police on salary reductions comparable to those in other city departments. Earlier this month, the city put employees on a 35-hour workweek to cut costs. In Shaker Heights, Mayor Earl Leiken said the fire department will cut six jobs -- two by attrition and four through layoffs by the end of March -- that represent about 9 percent of the total force.

State furlough idea doesn't play well here
Mail Tribune (02/25/09)
A proposal by Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski for unionized state workers to take 26 unpaid furlough days to help meet a budget shortfall doesn't sit well with those who could be affected in southwestern Oregon. If enacted, the furloughs could affect every state department, from human services to the state police, with what amounts to nearly a month off without pay during the 2009-2011 budget cycle.

Scarborough asks union workers to forgo pay raises
American Journal (02/25/09)
Town Manager Tom Hall is asking the town’s union employees to give up pay raises next year to help the town avoid a tax increase in a year when revenues are expected to be lower. Union leaders of the town’s three unions for police, dispatchers, paramedics and fire fighters said they have agreed to discuss the option of raise freezes, but nothing has been decided, said John Gill, a patrol officer and president of the Scarborough Police Benevolent Association. Union members are scheduled to get 3 percent cost-of-living increases July 1 – the beginning of the second year of their contracts. Hall said he asking the 56 town employees who are members of the unions, which includes dispatchers, fire fighters, paramedics and police, to accept raise freezes for the second year of their contract.

Letters: Suggestions regarding police, fire departments
Evening News and Tribune (02/25/09)
I would like to offer some suggestions regarding the police and fire departments. Budgets need more of both, not less. First, set up a true traffic court where all tickets would be paid to the city to help fund the police department. We would see the police department become more self-supporting. As to the fire department, let them start inspecting all the slum property and citing landowners, which would pay fines and inspection fees. Fifty-two percent of New Albany is rental property, as I understand it. This would also save lives. We need ambulances at all fire stations. I will tell you from firsthand experience, Yellow ambulances are not too hot. The New Albany Fire Department ambulances and crews are much better. A fire fighter has to train so much more and have more higher standards. The fire department only hires quality people.

WW Council OKs municipal layoffs
Kent County Daily Times (02/25/09)
The West Warwick Town Council authorized 12.7 layoffs to the municipal government by an unwilling but unanimous vote, as recommended by Town Manager James Thomas at a special budget session. In order to save money in fiscal year 2009, the layoffs will be effective on April 1 and will only be reversed if the unions offer to take cuts to compensate. “The feeling from all the unions is that these are life-style changes,” Thomas said. While some talks continue with municipal employees, police and fire contracts are already in place until 2011. His original plan had projected saving $38,000 from police, $58,667 from fire and $72,333 from municipal by increasing co-pays and adding a $500 deductible to the Blue Cross Blue Shield plan. The original total for the remainder of fiscal year 2009 was $169,000 — but unions have not been receptive to this proposal. They would be more cooperative, Department of Public Works Union President Kevin Reyes said, if the town could give them figures up front about how much they would have to concede to save the jobs of their co-workers. “We need to have numbers,” he said, “or half the union is going to say ‘screw it, do layoffs,’ while the other is willing to give.”

Lynchburg City Council approves mandatory furlough
The News & Advance (02/25/09)
A proposal to furlough city staff for 2½ days this spring ignited fierce debate among City Council. Tempers flared as officials argued over how to approach the mandatory unpaid leave, which will affect some 1,200 public employees. The plan calls for most employees to be furloughed one half day the Friday before and one full day after the Easter holiday, creating a three-and-a-half-day weekend. Another one full day furlough will also be imposed the Friday of Memorial Day weekend. Certain departments that must remain open, including police and fire, will establish alternate schedules.

Cuts in local aid slice deeper in poorer cities
Boston Globe (02/24/09)
Lynn has removed half a dozen police officers from its schools, leaving the 13,000-student district with just one security official. It has mothballed a firetruck and laid off 30 municipal workers. Teachers agreed to work a day without pay to avoid mass layoffs. City government is reeling from a financial crisis caused by a potential $11 million reduction in state aid over 18 months, what Mayor Edward J. Clancy calls a "below the belt" hit that affects the working-class city's poor and immigrant populations. "We're trying to keep the ship of state afloat," said Clancy. Fifteen miles away in Brookline, a far more affluent community, town officials are coping better, with minimal damage to local budgets from a $3 million reduction in local aid. There may be a smattering of layoffs next year, but average class sizes in the public schools will remain below 20 students. The contrasting stories in the two communities - one wealthy, one relatively poor - are an example of how Governor Deval Patrick's emergency spending reductions are delivering far more pain in the state's neediest cities, one-time manufacturing hubs such as Lynn, New Bedford and Lawrence.

Firefighters’ exodus from Atlanta contributes to stations closing
Atlanta Journal Constitution (02/24/09)
Twenty-seven Atlanta fire fighters have resigned since October and the city’s fire chief said those resignations have contributed to the occasional closing of some fire stations. Some fire fighters have retired, said Chief Kelvin Cochran. Others, he said, have left for higher-paying fire-fighting jobs in other area cities and counties. In all, the department of about 1,000 employees has 33 vacancies. Cochran also told the City Council’s Public Safety Committee that the department is “evaluating” a rash of sick calls since February 1. “I’m concerned because we do not have an adequate staffing level,” the chief said. Cochran said the “brownouts” are a result of a recent hiring freeze, furloughs, the abolition of about 120 positions and the loss of overtime pay to grapple with city budget cuts. He does not believe the absences were an organized protest. The chief said the cutbacks may be resulting in fire fighters calling in sick more frequently.

Springfield mayor seeks waivers to speed layoffs
The Republican (02/23/09)
The city has asked several unions to waive a 60-day notice requirement for layoffs, saying a shorter notice period could reduce the number of jobs lost. Laying off employees sooner rather than later would save the city the costs of those employees' salaries and benefits, creating the opportunity for fewer layoffs this fiscal year, said Thomas T. Walsh, Mayor Domenic J. Sarno's communications director. The number of jobs saved, however, "would be relatively few," he said. The city announced plans to lay off 89 employees this fiscal year, including 44 Department of Public Works employees and 17 library employees in response to a $4.6 million, midyear cut in state aid. The financial outlook is worse next fiscal year, officials said. Sarno and Springfield Finance Control Board Executive Director Stephen P. Lisauskas, asked seven unions in an advance letter dated February 2 to allow a seven-day notice of layoffs, rather than 60-day notices called for in their contracts. Some unions have balked at the waiver thus far. Union representatives criticized the city's approach to layoffs and budget cuts.

St. Albans Firefighters Fight Layoffs
WCAX-TV (02/23/09)
Fire fighters in the city of St. Albans are urging residents to vote no on their municipal budget next week. The proposed 2010 spending plan calls for cutting the fire department's staff in half -- from 13 down to six. Right now the city spends more than $1 million a year on fire services and city leaders say that's way too much for a community its size. They say most spend about a quarter of a million dollars or less. So instead of four full-time fire fighters on duty every night they want to have two. The president of the firefighters union said safety would be compromised for those cuts. He also accused the city of not fully informing voters.

Board of trade demands deeper cost cuts
Globe and Mail (02/20/09)
The city of Toronto has failed to cut its costs, remains too dependent on handouts from the province and needs to clamp down on wage increases in the face of a coming economic "tsunami," the head of the Toronto Board of Trade warned. President and chief executive officer Carol Wilding addressed council's budget committee at a daylong hearing for citizens, business groups and social-services agencies on Mayor David Miller's proposed $8.7-billion budget, which improves transit service but raises property taxes 4 per cent. Wilding criticized the budget as "unsustainable" for depending on $238-million in one-time aid from the province to avoid steeper cost cutting, warning that the worsening economy means Queen's Park may not offer help again next year. Municipal officials insist the city operates as close to the bone as it can, short of dramatically chopping services, and argue much of its growing wage bill is due to arbitrated labour settlements imposed for fire fighters, police and the Toronto Transit Commission. Short of calling for restraint in the wage increases in coming talks with the city's main unions, she would not suggest specific cuts.

Uniontown Firefighters Union Files Suit To Stop Layoffs
Pittsburgh Union Tribune (02/20/09)
The union that represents fire fighters in the cash-strapped Fayette County city of Uniontown is seeking a court order to prevent layoffs it says violates terms of its labor contract and creates a potentially deadly situation. In the lawsuit, the International Association of Firefighters Local 955 is seeking an emergency court order that would prohibit the layoffs. In addition, the union wants a judge to order the city to reinstate all seven laid-off fire fighters until the two sides resolve an earlier grievance the union filed over the layoffs.

Judge to city: Firefighters stay put
The Call (02/20/09)
In a pre-emptive strike against Mayor Susan D. Menard’s deficit elimination plan, the firefighters’ union petitioned for — and won — a Superior Court order prohibiting the city from laying off its members, at least for now. Judge Richard Israel, a retired member of the judiciary, issued a temporary restraining order pending a full hearing, said Edward C. Roy Jr., a lawyer for Local 732 of the International Association of Firefighters. Israel said layoffs without collective bargaining could jeopardize public safety and appear to violate state law, as well as the minimum staffing provisions of the city’s contract with the IAFF. “It was a resounding victory for the fire fighters, it was,” said Roy. Lt. Steve Reilly, IAFF president, said it was not just a victory for fire fighters but for “public safety, both for members of the fire department and the public. “Honestly, we wished it never came to this,” he said. “We’d be more than willing to resolve the issue at the bargaining table.”

Trickle-down economics -- only in reverse
Ventura County Reporter (02/19/09)
While trickle-down economics sounds like the perfect plan in theory, the actual practice of passing down wealth to the poor hasn’t succeeded. In fact, because that theory was great only in theory, in this flailing economy, many rich are still rich and the line between the middle class and the poor gets thinner day by day. While free enterprise and capitalism are the things that have made this country great, at the same time deregulation, tax cuts, low savings and spending in excess has gotten everyone into trouble. We are now officially in a recession and the casualties are piling up — layoffs, lessened job security, pay cuts. In the City of Ventura, city employees are feeling the impact. Although the city made some questionable financial moves last year, including giving fire fighters raises and increased retirement benefits while our local unemployment rate continued to rise, the paradigm is certainly shifting. To their credit, city employees, including fire fighters, police officers and non-union managers, agreed to take a pay cut. Union employees were also willing to negotiate a 5-percent pay cut across the board. In offering to take a pay cut, they are subsequently sending a message that it is better for everyone to shoulder the pain together.

Police, fire budgets $3.2 million in red
Charlotte Observer (02/19/09)
Charlotte police and fire departments are projected to be $3.2 million over budget by the end of the fiscal year.
City Manager Curt Walton said public safety is a top priority in the city and that the extra spending is justified.
It will be covered by shaving other department budgets, Walton said. The fire department estimates it'll need an extra $1 million to cover overtime, unforeseen vehicle maintenance and higher fuel costs. Much of the overtime came from dealing with August flooding brought by Tropical Storm Fay. Its annual budget is $90 million.

Salem worried about losing state revenue
Eagle Tribune (02/19/09)
After struggling for months to cobble together a level-funded town budget for 2009-2010, the selectmen are now bracing for a $1.6 million revenue loss. The unexpected blow to revenue came when Governor John Lynch recently announced a plan to withhold the money received by towns through the rooms and meals tax and state aid. "We have been very fiscally responsible since last March in anticipation of a bad economy," selectmen's Chairwoman Elizabeth Roth said. "I have a feeling it's still going to get worse." Roth said she hopes the cut in state revenue won't result in laying off fire fighters or police officers.

Public safety, buses won’t escape trims
Colorado Springs Gazette (02/19/09)
The ax finally fell on the Colorado Springs budget as officials settled on budget cuts and other financial adjustments to bridge a $16.8 million gap left by falling sales tax revenues. The money represents a fraction of the city's $228 million in spending projected for this year, but members of the City Council warned it will have a big effect on services. Just how deep the cuts feel for residents will depend on the services they use. Riders on the free downtown DASH shuttle will notice the buses running less frequently and only during morning and evening rush hours. The reduced service will chop the cost of DASH from $355,000 to $177,500. But the trims to transit services are a small part of much broader reductions to city services. The City Council spent several hours approving large-scale reductions to services and then haggling over some of the details. The cuts involve laying off 80 city employees, about 4 percent of the total. The biggest cut, $7.9 million, came from a 14.5 percent reduction to most department budgets. The police and fire departments each took a 1 percent hit, or a total of $1.2 million. That's in addition to a 1 percent reduction already imposed on police and fire because of declining revenue from the Public Safety Sales Tax, which is dedicated to those departments.

$927K grant allows department to bring on four new firefighters
The Middletown Press (02/19/09)
With nearly $1 million from FEMA, the Middletown Fire Department was able to hire four new fire fighters, thereby expanding staff and completing a reorganization. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is giving the city $927,736 over five years. The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant allowed the department to hire four new fire fighters. The fire fighters, along with a fifth who replaced someone who retired, joined the department January 26 and are expected to complete their studies at the Connecticut Fire Academy in May.

Deficit, layoffs expected
Boston Globe (02/19/09)
First, Mayor James E. Harrington of Brockton touted the good news from last year: advanced policing plans, new schools, housing grants. Then came the bad news that everyone was expecting for next year: a deficit of $28 million, 300 layoffs, with 180 in the police and fire departments, a push for union givebacks and a scramble to find hitherto elusive budget cuts and new revenues. The scenario laid out in Harrington's State of the City address February 9 presents the worst case for next fiscal year, assuming that a series of initiatives directed at city unions, the legislature and the governor don't pan out. It doesn't include layoffs likely to come April 1 because of a recent $2.5 million cut in local aid for the current fiscal year, which ends June 30. In the best case, which nobody seriously expects, the city could close the gap by $19.5 million, largely through savings in health insurance, shifting expenses to the schools and new revenue. "I consider it an emergency situation," Harrington said. "I don't believe that it's going to be possible to provide a safe level of service based on what we're looking at in this budget." "It's going to be absolutely devastating," said Councilor at Large Linda Balzotti, noting that 80 percent of city spending is on personnel.

Town hoping for union concessions to balance budget
Andover Townsman (02/19/09)
Town Manager Buzz Stapczynski contends that concessions will be needed from Andover employees to avoid dozens of layoffs next year and informal talks are under way with unions. The equivalent of 58 full-time employees could be let go under Stapczynski's recommended $139,951,407 budget for fiscal year 2010.
Among the potential job losses are five public safety employees and the equivalent of 41 full-time school-department employees. Stapczynski said he met with all municipal unions in December for "a frank discussion" about Andover's budget deficit and the potential for layoffs. To avoid layoffs, Superintendent Claudia Bach indicated in her budget request for next year that "salary freezes, furloughs, reduction of in-service days, change in teaching schedules, planning time, duties and health insurance benefits" may be necessary. Firefighters' union president Thomas Agnew said he would need more information from the town before proposing changes to fire fighter salaries and health insurance to the union's executive board. Any changes approved by the board would then require approval from Andover's 70 fire fighters. "I haven't seen any cold hard facts that Andover is in deep trouble," said Agnew.

Firefighters Seeing Red on Station Plan
Wheeling News Register (02/19/09)
Fire Inspector Dave Palmer wants to keep Fire Station No. 4 in South Wheeling open to protect the public -- no matter how much money city leaders believe its closure will save. Closing the South Wheeling station is one of the cost-cutting measures in the fiscal 2010 budget proposal that will help the city save about $455,000. But Dave Palmer, president of Wheeling Firefighters Union Local 12, said he and the city's other 93 fire fighters are not going let the station close without a fight. "There should be public outcry against this. ... We (firefighters) will fight this plan until the bitter end because we feel it will endanger both citizens and fire fighters," he said. Palmer said city officials agreed to meet with fire fighters to determine what steps the city could take to reduce costs associated with the fire department. "The mayor said he wanted to sit down and talk with us about things like this - he lied," Palmer said, adding that closing a fire station is not a good way to reduce the burden on taxpayers in an economic downturn. "As fire fighters, we have gone along with nearly everything the city has done because we want to be good employees just like everybody else. But when you jeopardize public safety, I have a big problem with it," he said.

2.5 percent pay cut for firefighters
Lodi News-Sentinel (02/19/09)
To deal with a $1.4 million budget shortfall during the next four months, the Lodi City Council approved furloughs, reductions in salary and elimination of city contributions to employees' retirement plans. About 60 people attended the meeting, most of them representing one of the 10 bargaining groups the city has negotiated with to avoid layoffs. Fire fighters took a 2.5-percent pay reduction, and both fire and police have opted to not cash out overtime and instead bank it to be used as time off at a later date.

Miami, county commissioners seek pay freeze at the top
Miami Today (02/19/09)
City and county commissioners are asking for salary cuts to top-tier positions as local governments tighten their belts with budget cuts on the way. Miami commissioners had contemplated the idea since last month, when discussion over whether to approve a city employee's 5 percent pay raise led commissioners to propose the salary freeze. Following the commissioners' directive, City Manager Pete Hernandez presented his plan last week to freeze salaries of executive-level jobs not unionized, which excludes police and fire department positions, and make cuts to the current budget.

Work Furloughs Ahead For City Employees?
KGTV, 10News.com (02/18/09)
The city of San Diego is facing a $54 million budget deficit and needs to cut expenses. However, there is a possibility that some of the cuts could come at the expense of public safety. City officials hope to get concessions from its unions, but an initial proposal is not sitting well with the people who protect the homes and property of those living in San Diego. The public counts on the police and fire fighters to show up when there is an emergency. But could there be fewer of them on the streets of San Diego? The city's initial proposal includes a plan to implement a mandatory work furlough. The furlough would include all employees, including safety, and would occur during fiscal year 2010 up to a maximum of 12 days per year. The furlough would mean unpaid days off for police and fire fighters.

Springfield announces 89 municipal layoffs -- breakdown by department
The Republican (02/18/09)
Mayor Domenic Sarno announced that the City of Springfield would lay off 89 of its employees, the majority of them full-time workers. The by-department breakdown of layoffs does not affect police and fire departments for now. Sarno said public safety was still his number-one priority, and that's how he made the staff cuts. Nobody from the police or fire department will be laid off.

North Lyon Fire District votes to freeze salaries
Reno Gazette Journal (02/18/09)
Facing severe budget issues for this fiscal year and 2009-2010, the North Lyon County Fire Protection District Board of Directors voted to freeze salaries of chief officers and the District administrative assistant, and to begin negotiations with the career firefighters' union.

Budget crunch hits Euclid Fire Department
News-Herald (02/18/09)
The Euclid Fire Department is the latest service to suffer because of the city's budget. Four fire fighters were told February 9 they would be laid off in 30 days unless their union — Local 337 of the International Association of Fire Fighters — can find another way to cut expenses. The city already has sliced 17 people from the staff of the Euclid City Jail, including 13 full-time corrections officers. The city's goal is to cut $2.4 million from its budget, Mayor Bill Cervenik said. He said cutting the four fire fighters shaved about $353,000 from the budget.
The layoff notices were received after negotiations between the fire department union and city administration did not produce a compromise.

Woonsocket warns police, fire unions: It’s concessions or layoffs
Providence Journal (02/18/09)
Woonsocket officials warned the city’s two public safety unions that if they don’t agree to substantive concessions on pay or benefits, they will lay off about 40 of the community’s 101 police officers and 55 to 60 of its 135 fire fighters. They did so after a Superior Court judge, ruling on a request by both unions, scuttled the 5 percent pay cuts and 15 percent health coverage contributions that the city unilaterally imposed on both unions in an effort to cut current-year spending by more than $1.2 million. Representatives of both unions said they were talking with the city. Joseph A. Andriole, staff representative for the Rhode Island chapter of the International Association of Fire Fighters, said the fire fighters were proposing their own cost reductions, which he would not detail. He said if the city carries out its threat to issue layoff notices, the union would be back in court to contest them.

Elyria’s Fire Dept. faces a $900K hit
The Chronicle-Telegram (02/18/09)
The ax that many knew was swinging fell hard on the Elyria Fire Department. Mayor Bill Grace delivered his annual State of the City address and discussed impending budget cuts that will carve the fire department into one in which only 11 fire fighters will be on duty each day operating out of two fire stations. The mayor said the radical overhaul is needed because of a $3 million shortfall in this year’s general fund budget. It will mean lopping $900,000 from the fire department — the biggest cut to any department in the city. Beyond lowering minimum staffing — it currently stands at 14 a shift — and closing a fire station, the reduced budget will mean the layoff of an undisclosed number of fire fighters and the demotion of nine officers to lower ranks that pay less.

Fire contracts reflect new fiscal realities
Sun newspapers (02/17/09)
Public employee unions are wise to make contract concessions -- and save the jobs of union members. In Sarasota County, fire fighters agreed to a three-year contract with a wage freeze in the first year. In Charlotte County, the union representing fire fighters and emergency workers says it is willing to forgo raises. In fact, members have offered to cut pay by 3 percent in the coming year and a half. Public employees can read the 10-foot-high block letters on the wall. More than 100 jobs have been eliminated in Charlotte County in the past year; some 230 in Sarasota in the past three years. The union has tentatively agreed to change its existing contract, which runs until September 2010, by cutting salaries by 1.5 percent starting April 1, then another 1.5 percent on October 1. All cost-of-living and anniversary pay increases would be frozen; payments for training also would be cut. These are big concessions, and county officials should accept graciously, then get down to work on a longer-term deal.

Boulder City might renegotiate union contracts to balance budget
Las Vegas Sun (02/17/09)
Boulder City hopes to spread employee pay increases for one year over the next two years and raise electric and water rates again in an effort to balance its budget for the upcoming year. Labor is the city's biggest cost, at 70 percent of annual general fund expenditures, City Manager Vicki Mayes said. The City Council voted unanimously to ask Mayes to look into union contract negotiations so it can reduce the budget for fiscal year 2010, which starts in July. If union leaders allow renegotiations for police, fire, electrical and clerical workers — those positions that are unionized — the change would ripple through other city jobs as well, Mayes said.

Public Safety Officers Question Council Discretionary Fund
WXIA-TV (02/16/09)
Atlanta public safety representatives say the city council has to explain millions of dollars in so-called discretionary money that the council keeps for itself to pay bills and staff. But with a rash of layoffs, furloughs and cutbacks, some wonder if the council could spend some of their extra money to save jobs. Jim Daws of the local firefighters union said, "Public safety, both fire protection emergency management services and law enforcements, is flat on its back in the city of Atlanta. It's a national scandal, and any money that can be found needs to be directed to those two primary responsibilities."

New Bedford mayor defends layoffs, rejects alternatives
South Coast Today (02/14/09)
The city fired about 100 municipal employees February 13, bringing the two-day total to about 180, as fire fighters and police rallied on the steps of City Hall to protest the cuts. Mayor Scott W. Lang spent the day defending his slashing of jobs to meet a looming budget deficit. He did so by joining the fire and police workers at a rally and then giving an interview in which he detailed the necessity for the cuts and explained his handling of city finances. The total municipal cuts to date included 38 police officers and six civilian police workers, 38 fire fighters and one civilian fire worker, about 45 public works and Department of Public Infrastructure workers, eight library workers and about 40 City Hall workers. The cuts at City Hall included the mayor's personal secretary-scheduler, who had been on the job for more than two years. Gone was the possibility that any employees would be spared — union or non-union — through the alternative to layoffs the mayor had proposed in asking workers to give up 10 percent of their base pay, 3.5 holidays and agreeing to more flexible work rules. More layoffs are possible next week as the city determines whether the cuts already made do enough to meet the reduction in state aid of $2.8 million for the remainder of the 2009 fiscal year.

Manzi says he needs unions help to avoid cuts
Eagle Tribune (02/13/09)
Mayor William Manzi said the city will survive this fiscal year without employee layoffs and reductions in services, but that next fiscal year could be different "without the help and cooperation of our municipal unions."
"It is, in my opinion, critical for all stakeholders in our system to realize that the current system of municipal finance is broken, and must be reformed," Manzi said during his annual State of the City address before the Methuen Board of Trade. In this, his fourth such address since being elected, Manzi said, "I value the work of the 364 dedicated police officers, fire fighters, DPW workers and others who keep city government running 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and want to do everything I can to keep them on the job and serving the public." He the city will be able to avert layoffs in the current fiscal year ending June 30 through the "imposition of dramatic budget cuts, but that Fiscal Year 2010 is another story altogether."

Toledo mayor presents budget fixes
Toledo Blade (02/13/09)
Toledo Mayor Carty Finkbeiner proposed a combination of cutbacks and new revenue streams to fill a $14 million budget hole. His plan would require city residents who work in another city to pay more income tax and also would bill property owners' insurance firms for fighting structure fires. While the mayor's plan protects police officers and fire fighters from layoffs, it reduces the budgets for both departments, removes one fire truck from active service and relies on deep concessions in new contracts being negotiated with all of the safety forces' unions. He called the city's financial crisis the "single greatest challenge" during his 12 years as mayor.

More Anchorage Budget Cuts
Alaska's SuperStation (02/13/09)
Anchorage's acting mayor announced more cuts to the city budget yesterday of around $3 million. Anchorage is facing a budget shortfall of $17 million and with these latest cuts Matt Claman says more than half has been made up. The majority of these latest cuts come from the fire department where 14 vacant positions will remain unfilled through this year. Of those 14, 10 are positions that opened up do to retirements. In addition, the next Firefighter Academy has been postponed until the summer of 2010.

Proposed St. Paul budget cuts 'devastating,' mayor says
Pioneer Press (02/13/09)
Say goodbye to St. Paul city government as you know it. Cops, fire fighters, prosecutors and inspectors: laid off, resulting in perhaps 400 fewer jobs. Hamline Library: closed. Other libraries: hours reduced heavily. Half the street lights: turned off. Plowing of side streets during snow emergencies: only at 4 inches. Eight recreation centers: closed or with barely a city presence. These are among the proposed cuts — nothing's final yet — recommended by Mayor Chris Coleman's top staffers, including those in charge of police, fire, public works, libraries and parks and recreation.

El Monte considering closing fire station; response times could double
Pasadena Star-News (02/13/09)
As city officials consider whether to close one of the city's four fire stations to save money, they are faced with a tough reality: doing so could nearly double emergency response times in some areas. "We cannot in good conscience recommend closure of this station," Los Angeles County Fire Department Fire Chief P. Michael Freeman told members of the city council. Response time is one of the best way to judge the adequacy of emergency resources, the chief said. "If someone has a full cardiac arrest and stops breathing and their heart stops beating, minutes truly mean life or death," he said.

York budget cuts piling up
York Weekly (02/13/09)
The town Budget Committee voted unanimously to send the budget back to selectmen for further cuts. Committee member Charles Steedman, who made the motion, said selectmen should also try to identify other sources of savings, such as using money from the fund balance account. An original motion by member Greg Filias to slash the operating budget to as close to a zero impact on taxpayers as possible was defeated in a 4-3 vote. Town Manager Rob Yandow said such a mandate would impact services. The proposed operating budget going before voters in May is a 1.67 percent increase over last year. But with a loss in revenues, particularly from excise taxes, the net result is a 4.5 percent increase in the town budget.

New Bedford Firefighters, Police Officers Laid Off
The Boston Channel (02/13/09)
Hundreds of fire fighters and police officers from around the state rallied in front of New Bedford City Hall after it was announced that dozens of the city’s public safety officers will lose their jobs. Members of the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts State Police joined with politicians and residents in calling for federal funding for public safety services. “A lot of us have wanted to be fire fighters all our lives, and then you finally get this job . . and then they come and they take it away from you,” said fire fighter Tim Lynch, who learned he would be losing his job 30 minutes before the rally. “It’s tough.” The rally came one day after Mayor Scott W. Lang signed off on eliminating the fire positions, as well as 38 New Bedford police officers. City administrators are scrambling to make up for a $2.8 million loss in local aid this year.

Granholm calls for spending cuts, 1,500 state layoffs
Detroit News (02/12/09)
Governor Jennifer Granholm served up an austere budget plan that would wipe out about half the state's projected deficit next year with 1,500 layoffs and program cuts, including reductions in spending for public school aid, prisons, the arts and safety net programs. The budget reductions add up to $670 million. Fiscal analysts estimate the shortfall in the general fund for the budget year that starts October 1 is $1.4 billion.
Some of the rest will be made up with $230 million in closed tax loopholes, increased liquor license fees, higher taxes on tobacco products other than cigarettes, increased permit fees, higher state park fees from $24 to $28 for annual permits and other adjustments. She is proposing no general tax increase. In a significant initiative, the governor issued an executive order to expand the size of the state parole board, to expedite review of 12,000 inmates who have served their minimum sentences. The administration hopes to free 3,500 to 4,000 state inmates from expensive prison custody. The 2009-10 state budget also calls for1,500 in state employee layoffs and $28 million in wage and benefit concessions.

City's police, firefighters pension fund needs $81 million
Baltimore Sun (02/12/09)
Officials of the Baltimore fire and police pension fund painted a grim financial picture, laying the groundwork for requesting tens of millions of dollars from city coffers. The value of the fund has dropped by $554 million in the past 2 1/2 years, officials said. More than half of the decline came from scheduled benefit payouts, and the rest resulted from the plummeting stock market. "Revenue has dropped dramatically," said Thomas P. Taneyhill, the executive director of the fund, speaking at the city Board of Estimates meeting. "This year, diversification [of investments] didn't work. Quality didn't work. It didn't matter where you went. We have not heard anyone say that we are going to get out of this recession any time soon." If the fund does not have enough money to meet obligations to retired police officers and fire fighters, the city must provide a lump-sum payment to it.

Fire, police cuts loom
Santa Rosa Press Democrat (02/12/09)
Santa Rosa city leaders got a first-hand look at what a projected $23 million budget deficit could mean: a city where police officers stop responding to many criminal calls and fire stations are temporarily closed for business. Those are among the ramifications included in a 21-page list of 115 staff-recommended budget cuts that were previewed by a City Council budget committee for the first time. The document calls for eliminating 79 jobs, including those of 25 police officers. Still, some council members offered hope that the worst of the police department cuts might be avoided, primarily by diverting Measure O sales tax revenues and persuading employees to give back some wage benefits. The newest round of cuts, scheduled to be reviewed by the full City Council on February 24, are the third in a series that already have sliced $8 million and 53 jobs from the city's 2009-10 budget.

City workers in Mansfield get notice of coming layoffs
Mansfield News Journal (02/12/09)
Mayor Don Culliver sent at least one union a letter saying numbers of laid-off city workers are likely to be finalized within the next several days. “I have been informed by the city finance director that the city will suffer a shortage of funds in 2009,” Culliver’s letter said. “I am reluctant to have to inform you the finances of the city are such that we will have no choice other than to initiate layoffs in the AFSCME unit.” Rumors of various numbers of layoffs affecting AFSCME workers, police and fire fighters have been making the rounds among municipal workers. Firefighters union president Phil Dollish said his group had not received similar unofficial notice. “We haven’t heard anything (from the mayor) ... I don’t think he likes us right now,” Dollish said.

West Hartford Officials Ask Unions To Make Sacrifices
Hartford Courant (02/12/09)
Town officials have asked representatives of the more than 15 local unions, including teachers, police officers and fire fighters, to consent to a wage freeze or other measures to counter the loss of at least $3 million in revenue. All of the union leaders have agreed to talk to the members about the request — which Mayor Scott Slifka said shows an understanding on their part of the strain on local taxpayers. The expectation is that the unions will come back with money-saving offers before interim Town Manager Ronald Van Winkle completes the proposed 2009-10 budget in early March. The town council must adopt a spending plan by the second Tuesday in April. "Union leadership, across the board, has been forthcoming and empathetic," said Slifka, adding that this was the first time in memory that a West Hartford mayor and union leaders sat face to face and agreed to consider cost-cutting measures. "Personnel costs are our number-one budget driver, and the only way around this is to adjust costs." Firefighter Louis Glanz, president of the firefighters union, said the budget situation has grown more dire since September.

Ventura workers taking pay cuts to save jobs
San Jose Mercury News (02/12/09)
Dozens of Ventura police officers, fire fighters and other city workers are taking pay cuts or deferring compensation in an effort to prevent layoffs and reduce the city's budget deficit. The city's deficit is expected to grow to $12 million in the next two years and officials say the employee concessions won't prevent steep service cuts and layoffs.

Firefighters offer pay cuts
Sun newspapers (02/12/09)
Union members hope their $2 million in financial concessions will reduce the prospect of privatizing Charlotte County's Fire & EMS services. Scott Heinis, district supervisor for the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 2546, said the union has unanimously agreed to the tentative deal, which was presented to the county and includes across-the-board pay cuts. The tentative agreement, if approved by both the county and the union, would amend the existing contract between the two parties, which runs through September 2010. The union's offering left a big impression on Commissioner Robert Skidmore, who has been a proponent of exploring the privatization of Fire & EMS in Charlotte County in an effort to curb costs.

Fire Department Cuts Loom
Stockton Record (02/11/09)
To cut another $6 million from its budget for next year, the Stockton Fire Department is preparing to close stations, demote captains, cut on-duty staffing and possibly lay off fire fighters. The proposal was broadly described in a memorandum sent by Fire Chief Ron Hittle to his staff. "Unfortunately, we have been unable to find an alternative for meeting the budget target that does not have a negative effect on service levels, wages, hours and other employee benefits that are protected within your labor contract with the City," he wrote. Hittle's proposal to the city included reducing the number of fire fighters on duty daily from 75 to 63. In turn, that would demand the closure of up to three engine or truck companies, and the demotion of up to 12 captains and 12 engineers. After that, as many as 11 fire fighters could be laid off, but only if fire fighters expected to take pension buyouts in July delay or decline the offer. "If they want to leave in December, I may have to lay people off," he said. But to implement any part of this budget plan requires approval by the fire fighters union, which agreed last year to salary and benefit concessions in exchange for a promise from the city that there would be no layoffs, company closures or staffing cuts for the term of the contract, which expires in June 2011. Captain Dave Macedo, president of Stockton Professional Firefighters Local 456, said the union is still open to renegotiating compensation, but it is waiting for other city unions to make similar concessions.

Mayor asks Toledo workers to leave jobs
Toledo Blade (02/11/09)
The Finkbeiner administration called on all full-time city employees yesterday to step up and volunteer to work part-time, take an unpaid leave of absence, or agree to take a permanent layoff to help close a $8.1 million deficit from 2008. "One month ago, Mayor [Carty] Finkbeiner sent a notice to all city of Toledo employees regarding the current financial crisis of the city," Robert Reinbolt, the mayor's chief of staff, wrote to all employees. "I wish I could advise you the situation has changed for the better, but it has worsened." Mr. Reinbolt said the city needs to consider alternatives to "mass and involuntary layoffs." The city also asked employees to consider working four, nine-hour days -- for a total of a 36-hour work week. Twenty employees have expressed interest in that option, Mr. Reinbolt said. This year's budget is already austere. It does not include money to hire police cadets or fire fighters and requires layoffs and mandated unpaid time off for city employees, the closing of all but one public pool, a reduction of funds for the city's criminal justice program and Toledo Municipal Court and wage freezes for city workers.

Brockton moves ahead with home-rule petitions to curb $28 million budget shortfall
Wicked Local Brockton (02/11/09)
The City Council is wasting no time addressing a potential $28 million shortfall, but council President Tim Cruise is not optimistic. Two home-rule petitions are already in the pipeline, going before the City Council on their way to the state Legislature and an expected lively debate. Mayor James E. Harrington wants the legislation to change the health insurance contribution of city workers and retirees. Without it, he would have to negotiate any increases and city leaders say they have nothing to give in return. “I’m very skeptical it will pass at the state level,” said Cruise. He said he will support the changes in hopes of getting it through, but it’s going to be a tough sell and the alternate with be tougher. “This city just cannot afford to lay off police and fire fighters,” said Cruise. “I don’t know if we could guarantee the safety of most people in the city.” Harrington said that without concessions, the city faces the loss of upwards of 300 city jobs, 180 of them in public safety.

Tulsa to dip into reserve funds
Tulsa World (02/11/09)
Mayor Kathy Taylor said that the city will dip into its emergency operating reserve to help cover what is now projected to be a $3.5 million general fund deficit at the end of the fiscal year. During her briefing with the City Council, Taylor also revealed that the city's two pennies of sales-tax revenue that go into the general fund were 10 percent less than budget projections for February. Tulsa received $12.9 million this month from the Oklahoma Tax Commission, compared with the $14.2 million that had been expected. The revenues were collected during the typically lucrative Christmas shopping period. The city will realize a $2.7 million general fund deficit at the end of the fiscal year June 30.

Stimulus Hopes Abound Throughout Maine Towns
WMTW (02/11/09)
Like many towns across the state, Lewiston has compiled a list of projects hinging upon the federal stimulus bill.
News 8's Will Lewis reported that 55 projects comprise Lewiston's wish list that would cost $106 million and is said to be able to create 700 jobs. City Council members heard about positions the city will not be able to fill, but if things go well with the stimulus package, more services are possible than had been anticipated. When Lewiston City Councilors received their binders for the 2010 budget, they discovered many services that will not be funded. "The challenge, quite frankly, is how do we deliver most of the services we provide today and not ask people to pay more?" Lewiston City Administrator James Bennett said. The city has not planned any layoffs, but vacant positions will not be filled. The city has asked union workers to delay raises and steps in pay until February 2010.

Reno to consider union cut proposals
MSNBC (02/11/09)
The Reno City Council will consider the proposals of the city's bargaining units, and city staff is recommending the council accept the offers from the bargaining units that result in 2.1 percent reductions in expenditures for the current fiscal year ending June 30. More than 300 Reno police officers agreed -- through their collective bargaining entity -- to accept a benefit cut and forego holiday pay among other concessions, to help with the city's ailing budget. Brad Jensen, president of the local chapter of the IAFF, said last week, the fire fighters chose to take nine month pay cut, rather than the six that city requested, because he does not see the economic situation improving significantly in six months time. The fire fighter's union offered to take a 2.1 percent cut in benefits and change staffing rules to save the city $1.4 million in overtime costs and vacation time. The fire fighters have also offered to extend their contract for one year with no increases in salary or benefits. Jensen says this plan allows the fire department to continue its focus on public safety.

Income tax hike could cover city's shortfalls
Delaware News (02/11/09)
The week before Columbus City Council was set to approve the city's 2009 budget, city officials announced their plan for cutting out $13 million more. City officials had hoped to come up with $10 million by convincing city unions to pass on raises and service credit for 2009, but only the fire fighters union obliged by agreeing to give up 4 percent raises. That saved the city about $3 million. Twenty-six police cadets who recently completed their training are set to be laid off without being sworn in February 27 to save the city $1.25 million. Additional cuts will reduce police fleet purchases and eliminate the summer strike force. Every civil employee except for critical safety personnel will be laid off for five days during 2009, saving the city $1.65 million. Additional layoffs and departures, including some top-level positions, are expected to save another $540,000.

Facing deficit, city considers salary cuts
Daily Pilot (02/10/09)
Expecting a budget shortfall greater than its $11-million estimate, the Costa Mesa City Council discussed adjusting city employees’ compensations, among other possibilities. The shortfall could be greater than expected because current projections are based on a predicted 10 percent decline in retail sales nationwide for the fourth quarter, which is a relatively small drop compared with other indicators, Finance Director Marc Puckett said. “The chances of this number [estimated deficit] being much larger are pretty good,” Puckett said, adding that other estimates suggest a decline in sales as large as 14 percent or even 16 percent. City Manager Allan Roeder said he is talking with union leaders who represent city employees — including police officers, fire fighters and staff members — to see whether they would be willing to reopen contract negotiations.

Mayor: I’ll Take A 3% Pay Cut
New Haven Independent (02/10/09)
Mayor John DeStefano and two top officials agreed to a pay cut — and warned that workers will face 241 layoffs if they don’t share in the sacrifice. The news came in a State of the City address in which he balanced themes of hope with news about hard times ahead. DeStefano, Superintendent of Schools Reginald Mayo and City Clerk Ron Smith announced they are taking 3 percent pay cuts, effective immediately. “We were asking people for givebacks and concessions, so I think it’s only right for city leadership” to give something back too, said Mayo after the speech.

Fire departments battle cost per call
Waukegan News Sun (02/10/09)
The number of calls Lake County fire departments respond to is up more than 6 percent from 2006 to 2008, forcing departments to find various ways to keep costs down. A number of factors affects the cost per fire call between municipal or city departments and fire districts. Like payroll.

City officials: Budget tighter than first predicted
The Newark Advocate (02/10/09)
Although Newark city officials have known the 2009 budget was going to be tight, many are concerned it might be worse than they initially thought. Mayor Bob Diebold convened the first meeting of the Budget Review Commission to improve communication and work with council members to find solutions. "It was set up for years we have budgets that are going to be so tight we have to review them month to month," Mayor Bob Diebold said. "Unfortunately, this is going to be one of those years." The commission discussed potential funding for the overtime expected in the fire department. Although Diebold said he hopes to reorganize some of the money collected through EMS billing to pay for the expense, the move could require council action and Fire Chief Jack Stickradt said he already has plans for the funds. In particular, Diebold hopes to tap a portion of the EMS billing proceeds set aside for medical supplies. In 2008, the department spent about $86,000 to buy new supplies but the fund is expected to receive $111,000 and has money remaining from previous years. Similarly, he said there is money that never was spent set aside for new hires. Many think the solution is hiring more fire fighters to help reduce the number of fire fighters required to work overtime to meet minimum staffing levels.
"The bottom line is we need to hire more fire fighters," Councilman Doug Marmie said. "We need to get those numbers up. Let's hire as many as we can."

Plan to furlough city fire engines is drawing heat
Sacramento Bee (02/10/09)
The controversy over taking city fire engines off the streets is about to get much more heated. The Sacramento Fire Department is scheduled to increase the number of fire engines it takes out of service on a rotating basis from one to two every day beginning March 1, according to a city staff report. Fire Department officials say that the cost-cutting strategy would lead to increased response times to emergencies in many neighborhoods – and that could contribute to greater property loss. Yet, with the city's budget crunch growing more dire, such a move might be just the beginning. City officials are discussing taking three engines out of service daily beginning in July. The dramatic moves are being considered as the city faces a $50 million budget deficit for the next fiscal year.

Salaries frozen in wrong places
Bethany Beach Wave (02/10/09)
Municipalities everywhere are battling stagnant and declining revenue. These days, it's not just the business world that is struggling -- the halls of public service are suffering as well. The situation is especially problematic in high-flying Ocean City, Maryland, where the economy is based on real estate activity, as well as the vacationing whims and entertainment needs of people across a region. In what could be considered a bold move, given its history as a deliberative board -- the Town Council quickly agreed to cost-of-living and step-grade pay freezes for the resort's municipal employees. The move will trim some $877,000 from the town's budget. Many Ocean City employees had grown accustomed to receiving 3 percent pay raises each year; employees covered by union contracts will be exempted for now, but if their union bosses agree to follow suit, the town could save an additional $271,000 in salary increases.

City considering furloughs, trying to avoid layoffs
Lodi News-Sentinel (02/10/09)
More then 50 people piled into Carnegie Forum to hear the plans for city budget cuts. The cuts are to make up for what will be a $1.46 million shortfall in the General Fund if the city does nothing before June 30. The General Fund is the city's discretionary money with about 60 percent spent on police and fire. The city has been working with the union bargaining groups to find ways to cut spending that would not involve layoffs. "I appreciate that employees are looking out for the city and each other and coming up with solutions that have the least impact on services," Mayor Larry Hansen said. City staff has suggested that solutions could be furloughs once a month for non-public safety staff, not filling some open positions, suspending contributions to the workers' public equivalent of a 401K and providing two additional years credit to employees' retirement as an incentive to retire. The main argument at the meeting was over fire dispatching service, which in the end was taken off the table. The city is about 10 days away from taking over fire dispatch locally.

Reno to weigh union ideas
Reno Gazette Journal (02/09/09)
The Reno City Council will review proposals publicly from city worker unions for concessions that would avoid laying off 36 employees. The mayor and council members met for three hours in closed session to study the proposals, which include not paying a 2.1 percent cost-of-living raise. Some details remain to be worked out, they said. "The labor groups are understanding the plight the city is in and are coming forward with proposals that should work," Councilman Dan Gustin said. "The offers may very well work with the budget." The council is cutting another $3.3 million to balance its budget by the June 30 end of the fiscal year. More cuts could be in store if sales taxes revenue, which dropped 14 percent in November, keep falling. Sales tax numbers for December, the critical shopping season, won't be known until late this month. Council members and top managers are taking a 3.5 percent salary cut. Councilman Dave Aiazzi said he is not sure that's enough.

Woonsocket, unions await hearing
Woonsocket Call (02/09/09)
A high-stakes legal bid by Woonsocket’s municipal labor unions to block deep cuts in wages and benefits the city says are needed to avoid bankruptcy is still struggling to get off the ground in Superior Court. After conferencing with a judge for the second time, a bevy of lawyers representing four labor unions and the city was instructed to return to court. But it’s still unclear whether there will be a hearing on the unions’ efforts to block the cuts. City Solicitor Robert Iuliano said that before a hearing takes place, a judge will have to be chosen to preside in the matter. At issue is whether the unions — representing some 350 police officers, fire fighters, clerks, secretaries and laborers — will be granted an order prohibiting the city from enforcing a $3.6 million deficit-elimination plan that calls for major rollbacks in salary and benefits. Crafted by Mayor Susan D. Menard and voted into law by the City Council, the plan would require all city workers to take a 5 percent salary cut and begin paying 15 percent of their annual health insurance premiums, effective February 5. All four of the city’s major labor unions are pressing the case that the plan violates their existing collective bargaining agreements or other labor laws.

More city cuts, layoffs anticipated
Toledo Blade (02/09/09)
Toledo Mayor Carty Finkbeiner is expected to announce more cutbacks, "salary adjustments" for some of his top staff, and a temporary but "indefinite layoff" for a number of city employees to cut costs in the face of an $8.1 million deficit from last year and a shortfall now expected for 2009. "Everything is on the table and we are looking at a number of options," said Robert Reinbolt, the mayor's chief of staff.
In December, the Finkbeiner administration sent out more than 1,000 layoff notices to city employees. Mr. Reinbolt said the number of employees forced to take time off beginning next week would be "significantly reduced," but the length of time had yet be determined.
"It's not going to be days," Mr. Reinbolt said. "It's going to be weeks."
The Finkbeiner administration initially said it would not include police officers and firefighters in the temporary layoffs but later revised the statement, saying those employees also could be laid off.

Talk of privatization worries crowd
Sarasota Herald Tribune (02/09/09)
Budget issues -- including the controversial idea of outsourcing county jail and fire and emergency medical service operations -- dominated a recent town hall meeting hosted by Charlotte County commissioners. Public turnout was relatively low, with 35 to 40 attending, including county staff. But residents came out firing, quickly asking about recent talk of the possible privatization of county jail and fire/EMS operations. Several said they were concerned there might be a decline in the quality of services.

More employ furlough as tool
Atlanta Journal Constitution (02/08/09)
To keep its workers off the unemployment line, Atlanta sheet metal contractor Gardner & Son has gone to shorter workweeks. Marietta businessman Jimmy Miller is considering doing the same next month if business doesn’t improve. In the meantime, he keeps his 60 employees working, doing odd jobs around his two fence firms. Just last week, Georgia lawmakers said 100,000 state workers will likely be furloughed to rein in the state’s $2 billion budget deficit. Once routine for government employees, autoworkers, airline pilots and flight attendants during economic lulls, furloughs or temporarily cutting employee hours are being used by more U.S. companies in what’s become a particularly brutal recession. Unlike the sting of permanent layoffs, furloughs let companies and government agencies keep workers and avoid costly hiring or retraining when conditions improve, some experts said. It can be particularly valuable for businesses that expect customers to return when the economy rebounds.

Detroit pension system faces cash crunch
Associated Press (02/08/09)
Two Detroit municipal pension plans have lost $2.5 billion over 18 months, and analysts say the 30 percent drop could create a cash crunch in a police and fire fighters retirement fund. The losses between June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2008 aren't much different from those of other American public pension systems hit by the worldwide economic downturn.

CalPERS to seek improved corporate governance, stricter Wall Street rules
Los Angeles Times (02/08/09)
The nation's biggest public pension fund, which has lost more than a quarter of its value in the last seven months, is planning to rally big investors nationwide to demand changes in the way Wall Street operates. The new chief executive of the California Public Employees Retirement System said the fund would work with other state pension funds and retirement systems to insist on greater openness in the way companies are run, tougher regulation by federal agencies, stricter rules on investment-rating groups and better international financial oversight.

Salaries frozen at current level by OC council
Ocean City Today (02/06/09)
There will be no pay raises for Ocean City employees in the coming year, as the City Council approved an across-the-board salary freeze for its general employees as a cost-saving measure. Six days after City Manager Dennis Dare publicly recommended freezing all city salaries not governed by union contracts for the upcoming fiscal year, the council approved the request. In addition to eliminating the traditional 3 percent cost of living adjustment increase, the council also froze step increases and merit-based salary increases for a savings of $877,000. "Merit increases are a substantial part of the annual increase in the budget," Dare said as he renewed the request. The cost-of-living increases were frozen for all general employees as well as those working under the fire fighter/ paramedics contract, as Dare said that contract does not guarantee an annual COLA but says the union employees shall have the same increase as the general employees. Under the Fraternal Order of Police contract, those employees are guaranteed a 3 percent cost-of-living increase.
Dare said the COLA freeze would save the city $462,000 in the coming fiscal year — $391,000 from the general employees and $71,000 from the fire fighter/ paramedics.

Drastic service cuts predicted from level-funded budget
Wicked Local Milton (02/06/09)
A fire station and a branch library will close, police officers and fire fighters will lose their jobs and half of the town’s street lights will go dark if municipal departments have to live with their current budgets for another year, officials say. They also say yard-waste pickups would be eliminated, there would be no burials on Saturdays at the cemetery, and the town might not be able to pick up the cost of placing small American flags on the graves of veterans next year. The list of possible cuts was developed by town department heads. The cutting would be “a first step” toward balancing the town budget for fiscal 2010, Selectman Marion McEttrick said. Selectman John Shields says the equivalent of about 20 full-time jobs would be eliminated.

Decision on layoffs, budget cuts must be made next week
The Morning Journal (02/06/09)
Tempers flared between Mayor Bill Grace and Elyria City Council members at a strategic planning meeting to discuss ways for the city to generate the $3.3 million it needs to operate efficiently. "We spent $2 million last year more than we brought in," Grace said. "We thought things were going so good that we went out and bought a $300,000 pumper (fire) truck and hired seven fire fighters. By the time we started realizing a noticeable, substantial downturn, it was probably late October, early November. "We have to make $2.3 million in cuts to get to zero and we can't stay at zero so we need $3.3 million," he told council.

FDNY To Choose Between Cuts In Staff, Firehouses
NY1 (02/06/09)
The Fire Department is facing the very serious choice of closing firehouses or cut staffing on fire engines. The writing is not only on the wall -- it is being documented in memos. NY1 acquired an internal memo from the city fire department, written by Chief of Department Salvatore Cassano to fire officials just hours after Mayor Michael Bloomberg delivered his so-called "doomsday" city budget. Cassano writes very starkly, "The news for the fire department is not good." The memo says four fire companies that already have been closed at night will close completely by July 1. Another seven fire companies will be disbanded and 30 ambulance tours will be eliminated by July 1. Yet another five fire companies will be disbanded on January 1, 2010. Fire investigations also will suffer. The department plans to eliminate 27 fire marshal jobs and five supervisors through attrition.

Selfless service from firefighters
Inland Valley Daily Bulletin (02/05/09)
Management group and union decide to forgo scheduled increases to save jobs and avoid deeper cuts to city spending. Ontario taxpayers should snap off a salute to the city's fire fighters. The city's Fire Management Group and its Firefighters Association both voted to forgo their scheduled 4 percent raises in light of budget problems.
Their action will save Ontario about $900,000 -- enough to keep several city workers employed. At the meeting where the fire fighters' self-restraint was announced -- to applause from the audience -- the City Council agreed to eliminate 28 full-time positions, 11 of which were vacant, saving $2.47 million. If not for the fire fighters' passing on their increase, more jobs would need to be eliminated.

Calpers says to furlough workers two days a month
Reuters (02/05/09)
Calpers, the biggest U.S. public pension fund, said it would comply with orders to furlough state employees for two days a month through June 2010 amid California's budget crisis.

Cuts may follow safety levy failures
Cincinnati.com (02/05/09)
Voter rejection of tax increases for emergency services in Union Township and the village of New Richmond left officials in the two Clermont County communities contemplating budget cuts. In Union Township on the day after the February 3 special election, Bob McGee said he and fellow Trustees Matthew Beamer and Timothy M. Donnellon would huddle soon to discuss possible layoffs in the fire and police departments. The jobs of about a dozen police and fire employees might be at risk after the defeat of a levy that would have generated nearly $6 million a year to maintain staffing. The police department employs 58 officers and 18 others. The fire department has 68 full-time fire fighters/emergency medical technicians and two administrative assistants.

Unions Asked to Cut Raises
New Canaan News Review (02/05/09)
First Selectman Jeb Walker is asking three unions -- police, fire and public works -- to agree to what he calls a "give-back" by reducing their 4 percent raises, mandated by contract, to 2 percent to help the town manage its budget deficit. The raises take effect in July. If the unions agree to those terms, Walker said he would institute the same "give back" to all Town Hall employee salaries. If they do not agree, "outside the contracts, all we can do is layoffs and we really don't want to do that," Town Hall Human Resources Director Cheryl Jones said. The Board of Finance would decide how many people would need to be laid off after reviewing the town budget.

Rell budget calls for $295 million in concessions
Associated Press (02/05/09)
Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell's two-year, $38.4 billion budget proposal includes at least $295 million in state labor concessions that have yet to be negotiated. Both the governor and state union leaders appeared optimistic that an agreement can be reached.

Escondido council looks to change pension, pay
San Diego Union Tribune (02/05/09)
The Escondido City Council wants to explore cutting pension benefits for new employees and reducing overtime pay to deal with an ongoing budget shortfall. But the city's labor unions already have rejected the ideas as impractical and shortsighted. The Escondido police officers association and firefighters association argue that the city would not be able to attract well-qualified candidates if it offers a less generous package to new employees. “That is going to be a deal-breaker,” said Mike Diaz, president of the firefighters association. “If the firefighter can choose between Escondido, Orange County and Los Angeles, guess where he's going to go?”

Firefighters stretched too thin
Atlanta Journal Constitution (02/05/09)
The closure of seven Atlanta fire companies and five fire stations was not the result of any “blue flu” or Super Bowl-related malingering. It was the result of the Fire Rescue Department being stripped of any tools it needs to cope with normal and expected fluctuations in employee sick leave. For some to blame the fire fighters, who are bearing the brunt of the city’s dire economic circumstances, while taking great personal risks to deliver on their mission to protect life and property, is outrageously unfair. This year’s budget cuts to Atlanta Fire Rescue abolished 120 fire fighter positions, declared a hiring freeze in the face of unprecedented attrition, eliminated all overtime used to achieve safe staffing levels and instituted furloughs equal to 10 percent of work hours. To adjust, Fire Rescue shuttered four fire companies and two fire stations for the remainder of the fiscal year, staffed its trucks with just three fire fighters instead of the minimum industry safety standard of four, and began 24-hour station closures during staffing shortages. In order to avoid these 24-hour closures, no more than 13 fire fighters can be out on sick leave.

Philadelphia Fire Fighters Take Case to Airwaves
Philadelphia Inquirer (02/05/09)
Taking its fight against fire-service cuts to a new arena, the Philadelphia fire fighters union is airing one-minute radio ads designed to heighten public pressure on Mayor Michael Nutter to reverse his decision to eliminate five engine and two ladder companies. The cuts, projected to save $10 million a year, took effect last month as part of an overall plan to address the city's projected deficit of $2 billion by 2013. Lawsuits to halt the fire-service cuts have been unsuccessful.

Reno firefighters make budget concessions
Reno Gazette-Journal (02/05/09)
Reno fire fighter union officials said they are offering contract changes that will satisfy the city's requests for concessions, including allowing fire engines and trucks to be fully staffed without paying overtime. Faced with declining sales tax revenue, the Reno City Council has asked employee unions to relinquish a 2.1 percent cost-of-living raise or the equivalent to save 36 jobs. Brad Jensen, president of International Association of Fire Fighters Local 731, said his members want to help the city with its economic problems.

Firefighter's layoff is placed on hold
Bedford Sun (02/05/09)
Plans to lay off a Bedford fire fighter have been put on hold, or perhaps, permanently rescinded. City Manager Bob Reid said the longevity of the reversal depends on the fire fighters union and how well it works with the city in dealing with the current budget crunch.

City to cut deeper into public safety
Redlands Daily Facts (02/04/09)
Redlands' city manager is again calling for cuts to the city's public safety budget to close the city's ever-widening budget gap. City Manager N. Enrique Martinez said he is asking the police and fire departments for cuts totalling $933,772 -- $806,764 from the police department's operating budget, including $125,000 from the department in budgeted overtime, and $127,008 from the fire department's operating budget. The cuts have not been proposed to the City Council, but should appear on the council's February 10 agenda. He said the cuts are needed to help the city bridge a more than $3 million budget gap by the June 30 end of the fiscal year.
The announcement came just after police and fire unions voted to take unpaid furlough days to help the city balance its budget.

Ontario firefighter groups will forego scheduled raises
Inland Valley Daily Bulletin (02/04/09)
The city's Fire Management Group and Firefighters Association have voted to forego a scheduled 4-percent raise. The action, which will start in July, will save Ontario $900,000. In the next five to six years, the city will likely face nearly $65 million in budget cuts, City Manager Greg Devereaux said. "I thank them and commend them," Devereaux said. "They have demonstrated the highest level of integrity." The announcement drew a round of applause at the City Council meeting. The fire employees were scheduled to have a 2 percent increase in July and another 2 percent raise in January, Devereaux said.

Philadelphia Local Launches Campaign to Protest Cuts
International Association of Fire Fighters (02/04/09)
Philadelphia, PA Local 22 is launching a comprehensive media campaign to protect Mayor Michael Nutters' recent dangerous cuts to the city's fire capabilities. The campaign includes a radio commercial, billboards across the city and other activities to generate support for Philadelphia fire fighters to roll back the fire service cuts. The radio ad is a fire emergency call from a burning home and the slow response time due to the mayor cutting five engines and two ladder companies. The billboard is the first in a series that will appear in high traffic areas through the Philadelphia area over the next few weeks.

St. Charles firefighters fear layoffs
Kane County Journal (02/04/09)
Stephen Dries hasn’t been sleeping well lately. On top of having five young children to worry about, the St. Charles fire fighter recently received word that he might get laid off from his dream job. “There’s been a lot of sleepless nights,” Dries said. “I’m nervous and am just sitting on the bubble, waiting for the city and the union to come up with an agreement to save my job.” Dries is one of a few city employees on the chopping block as city officials begin to prepare next fiscal year’s budget that they say needs to be trimmed. On January 22, City Administrator Brian Townsend sent 30-day notices of layoffs to Dries’ fire fighters union, as well as local unions representing employees in the city’s public works department and electric division.

Brookline to mull cutting 20 firefighters
Boston Globe (02/04/09)
A proposal to cut 20 fire fighters included in a Brookline committee report is likely to cause a furor in that town. And it may well be a preview of heated arguments in the days to come as cities and towns cope with cuts in the aid they receive from the state.

Minneapolis pension fund seeking merger with state fund to stay solvent
Minneapolis Star Tribune (02/03/09)
Faced with going broke in as few as six years, a closed Minneapolis pension fund with thousands of retired city employees is seeking a merger with a statewide public employees pension fund -- and soon. The merger proposal won endorsement from a City Council committee, which said it wants other closed funds for city cops and fire fighters to merge with their state plan too. The 90-year-old Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund (MERF) is paying retirees about $155 million annually, with assets of just under $800 million, plus any investment gain, to finance those benefits. MERF covers city employees who were hired before 1979, so it has 4,600 people drawing pensions while fewer than 200 are still working. The crash in investment markets has cut MERF assets almost in half. "The longer you wait, the closer you get to the point where it would be a critical problem," said Luther Thompson, MERF's executive director. MERF wants the 2009 Legislature to authorize a merger to take effect in mid-2010.

County Supervisors approve layoffs, cuts to stem $90 million shortfall
The Desert Sun (02/03/09)
Facing a $90 million budget shortfall and the prospect of running out of available cash as soon as April, Riverside County Supervisors have endorsed a plan including 10-percent, across-the-board budget cuts to all county departments, including public safety and social services. Supervisor John Tavaglione called the county’s declining property tax, sales tax and fees, combined with payments that the state of California has halted in an effort to solve its own budget crisis, a “horrible mess.” “We’ve never seen a challenge like this,” he said.

Woonsocket council cuts city worker salaries 5 percent
Providence Journal (02/03/09)
So that the city can pay its bills without police and fire fighter layoffs, the City Council has approved recommendations by Mayor Susan D. Menard to cut all city employee salaries by 5 percent, compel them to pay 15 percent of their health insurance costs, and require residents who had been getting free trash pickup to pay $96 a year for it. The seven-member council approved proposals that Menard has said aim to close a financial chasm opened by an expected $3.6 million loss of non-school aid from the state.

Chico firefighters give up raises to save jobs
Associated Press (02/03/09)
The union representing Chico fire fighters has agreed to give up raises for two years and roll back wages for new hires to save jobs. Fire fighters were scheduled to receive 4 percent increases this year and next. Eliminating those will save the city about $800,000 over two years. Chico also will pay about $66,000 less in health and dental insurance coverage. With the fire union's agreement, all eight of the city's employee groups have now accepted wage and health insurance concessions the city sought to balance its budget.

Councillor wants formal review of Thorold fire services
Welland Tribune (02/03/09)
A Thorold city councillor wants to put his city's fire department under the microscope. Jim Handley will be asking for a formal review of Thorold's fire services at the next council meeting with the intent, he said, of finding ways to save taxpayers money and boost morale among the ranks of professional and volunteer fire fighters. "In these tough economic times ... we should be doing what's best for the taxpayer," Handley said. But Rick Honsberger, president of Thorold's Professional Firefighters Association, said a review by a committee of councillors, including Handley, and fire fighters struck to draft the city's fire master plan has been underway since 2007.

City Services In Jeopardy With Police, Fire Millions In Debt
INDYchannel.com (02/02/09)
With the city of Indianapolis facing a major shortfall, every agency is being asked to cut back, including the police and fire departments, which are operating millions of dollars in the red. The funding crisis was discovered when the City-County Council passed the 2009 budget and lawmakers realized that the year included 27 pay periods, instead of the usual 26. Mayor Greg Ballard has since ordered every city department to cut spending by at least 5 percent, including public safety agencies. "We don't want to look at eliminating officers or fire fighters at this point in time. We want to look for other operational efficiencies where we can make that up," said Ryan Vaughn with the Council's Public Safety Committee. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department faces a $4.9 million shortfall, while the Indianapolis Fire Department is $3 million in the red, public safety officials said.

Fire union's deal doesn't preclude layoffs
Columbus Dispatch (02/02/09)
As Columbus officials look for the last cuts needed to balance the city's 2009 budget, only one area has been declared off-limits. The jobs of more than 1,500 fire fighters are safe, thanks to their union's offer to delay 4 percent pay raises that were set to kick in June 1. How long Mayor Michael B. Coleman's promise will last, however, is open to debate. Coleman said he wouldn't lay off fire fighters to balance the budget, a pledge fire fighters union leader Jack Reall takes to mean no layoffs for the entire year. City finance officials, however, say the task of balancing the budget will be completed by the time City Council members adopt a spending plan, as early as February 9. What's ahead for the national economy and its impact on local government finances is anybody's guess.

Council set to approve costly pension plan
Florida Times-Union (02/03/09)
Despite the economy, [Jacksonville] feels obligated to honor collective bargaining agreements. Collective bargaining deals must be honored, even if the price tag is no longer affordable, Jacksonville City Council members say. By the city's own estimates, proposed enhancements to the corrections officers pension plan could cost taxpayers an additional $164 million over the next 30 years. The city has three pension plans: corrections, general employees and police and fire. As of September, the collective unfunded liability for all three plans was $1.2 billion. If the economic crisis continues, that number will likely grow.

Letters: A citizen's-eye view of city budget crisis
Philadelphia Daily News (02/02/09)
You say you want to "cut the fat" to fix the city's budget crisis. I totally agree with you -- up to a point. I don't agree with closing city facilities used primarily by children. I'm also totally against closing fire companies. The response time for a medical emergency is deplorable. Why do cutbacks always fall on the "little guy"? I think it's a disgrace that whenever there are cuts, they always fall on the unions. Cutting the fat should start at the top. Do Council members really need cars paid for, maintained and free gas provided by the city? Some have more than one vehicle. Why can't all members take a pay cut? Why is it that even supervisors in every department have a vehicle, paid for by the city to commute back and forth to work?

City may not hire fire chief to save money
Tallmadge Express (02/01/09)
Mayor Christopher Grimm and the three Tallmadge Fire Department battalion chiefs are toying with the idea of not officially replacing Fire Chief Dennis Crossen after he retires in June. The city is considering having an interim fire chief in June if Grimm thinks Tallmadge's finances need to be conserved at that time, or giving more responsibilities (and pay) to the three current fire battalion chiefs when Crossen retires. "We're waiting to see what happens with the economy, though," Grimm said of the tentative plan. "We won't make a final decision until March." If a person is not hired to replace Crossen, Grimm said he expects to save about $50,000.
"This is going to be pretty good for the city, if it works," said Firefighters Local 2764 Union President Mike Passarelli. "It's a good idea."

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