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Second, the mayor is proposing several cuts that will take place citywide:
<br />
<br />?As in 2009, there will be no pay raises in 2010 for non-bargaining employees.
<br />
<br />?The City will make changes in the application of its health plan, eliminating a
<br />$500 contribution to a flexible medical spending account for each City employee
<br />($600,000 savings) and going to an 80-20 health insurance plan ($1.3 million
<br />savings).
<br />
<br />?Continued reduction in the number of take-home vehicles issued to employees. In
<br />2009, the City reduced its fleet and heavy equipment by 50 vehicles, including 15
<br />take-home cars.
<br />
<br />Third, work on the 2010 budget builds on budget reductions already made for the current
<br />2009 fiscal year. In anticipation of the tax caps, City departments spent frugally in 2008,
<br />saving more than $4 million, which was applied to the 2009 budget. In addition, City
<br />officials approved more than $3.1 million in permanent cuts for 2009. All cuts made in
<br />2009 will remain in effect. They include a voluntary 5 percent salary reduction for the
<br />Mayor, department heads and most directors. In addition, all employees in the Mayor’s
<br />Office and the Legal Department will take 5 percent pay cuts. Positions left vacant in
<br />2009 will remain unfilled in 2010, while several programs that were eliminated in 2009
<br />will not be restored, including:
<br />
<br />?Assistance to social programs
<br />
<br />?Efforts that encouraged 50-50 cost-sharing in curb and sidewalk improvements
<br />
<br />?The Commercial Corridor program, which enhanced the City’s primary entryways
<br />
<br />?After-school programs
<br />
<br />?Support for the Healthy Communities and the Workforce Diversity initiatives.
<br />
<br />Fourth, in light of the property tax caps, the delay in distributing tax bills and the
<br />slumping global economy, City officials say it is far more difficult than usual to
<br />accurately projected revenue from property taxes and other sources. In fact, all income
<br />tax-based revenue is expected to drop in 2011 because those receipts lag 18 months
<br />behind the year in which they are certified.
<br />
<br />“I recommend that we begin with the extensive cuts proposed by all City departments and
<br />deliberate as a Common Council, City administration and a community regarding the
<br />services that are most essential to preserve,” Luecke said. “In these uncertain times, we
<br />than can proceed with prudence to ensure that we have the resources for the services we
<br />must have and the flexibility to respond to emerging needs and opportunities.”
<br />
<br />This is the schedule of budget hearings before the Common Council:
<br />
<br />?5 p.m. Tuesday, July 28 – Budget overview
<br />
<br />?3:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 29 – Police, 911, police pension, Fire, EMS, fire
<br />pension, and Parks & Recreation
<br />
<br />?3:30 p.m. Aug. 3 – Community and Economic Development, parking garages,
<br />Code Enforcement, Legal, Administration & Finance
<br />
<br />?3:30 p.m. Aug. 5 – Public Works, Engineering, Street/Traffic & Lighting, Central
<br />Services, Water, Wastewater/Sewer/Solid Waste, Morris Performing Arts
<br />Center/Palais Royale Ballroom
<br />
<br />?3:30 p.m. Aug. 12 – Building, Mayor’s Office, self-insurance funds, capital and
<br />debt funds, Century Center, Clerk, Council
<br />
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