Budget Approved, Some Jobs Could Be Saved

Council members approved the village's final budget last night, but savings could occur to save jobs.

With all members consenting, council approved a budget that increases taxes 5.2 percent and totals $42.4 million. The village was forced to combat decreased state aid and increased insurance responsibilities. As of today, the village plans on 25 staff cuts to balance the budget.

"There's a lot of pain in this budget. These are tough times and the pain is being felt by the workers," Councilman Paul Aronsohn said. "We want to reiterate our commitment and obligations to revisit these decisions on an ongoing basis."

Previously, Village Manger Dr. Kenneth Gabbert announced 27 staff cuts to full and part-time workers. Last night, Mayor David Pfund—in his last meeting as mayor—said the police union renegotiated its contract to save two department jobs.

Pfund explained that Police Benevolent Association members offered to take days off without pay to spare their coworkers' positions. These came a few weeks after the fire department made similar concessions to save the village money.

Although it couldn't announce anything official last night, Pfund said the village was close to restructuring its deal with the Blue and White unions and "very different" layoff numbers could occur.

"Hopefully, at the July 1 reorganization meeting we'll be able to announce some positive things. We're tipping our hats to our unions for making this a little less painful," Pfund said. 

At the June 9 council meeting, Gabbert said a finalized list of department and position cuts would be available. However, due to "fluid" negotiation process, the mayor and village manager said last night it would be inappropriate to give out an incomplete list.

Resident Boyd Loving requested final dates when taxpayers could expert information on specific department cuts.

"I'm concerned that council is at point where the taxpayers know nothing, but it seems the Board of Education could release [cuts] in a flash," he said, referring to the school board's information disclosure on its own budget process. 

Gabbert said the latest disclosure date would be July 14 and 30 for its first and second round of cuts. Wanting to avoid upsetting staff members with cut projections that could fluctuate based on union negotiations and/or Civil Service adjustments would create an undue hardship, he said.

"Early next week [cuts] should be 99 percent determined," Gabbert said, adding he wouldn't want to announce a staff layoff "if in reality that could change." 

Seeking a clarification, resident Roger Wiegand asked how council could approve a budget if staffing changes were unresolved. Pfund explained that the tax allotment would not change but alterations within department budgets could occur. 

Gabbert also said he would meet with fire officials tomorrow to discuss department adjustments involving the fire prevention bureau.

Council will holds its reorganization meeting July 1 where Bernadette Walsh and Tom Riche will take the oath of office, and the mayor and deputy mayor will be chosen from among council members.