by Jeff Saunders

Reporter

Macedonia — In addition to getting a plan for cutting this year’s budget Feb. 25, City Council also received letters signed by dozens of city employees expressing concern over the city’s financial situation and the way it is being handled.

City Council had requested Feb. 23 the administration provide plans to cut the city’s 2010 budget by 5 percent and 10 percent, respectively. 

At Council’s Feb. 25 meeting, Mayor Don Kuchta and Finance Director Loren Sengstock presented those plans, both of which called for layoffs in the police department, among other cuts. (See related story.)

Meanwhile, three letters from more than 50 employees in the city’s police, service and administrative support unions were read to Council. All three letters expressed concern at the city’s financial situation and urged Council to actively support May’s 4-mill operating levy. 

The letter signed by service department employees states that a loss of services, including police and fire, leads “to a decrease in property values and higher insurance rates.”

The letter from the police department stated “It is the duty and responsibility of each member of Council to stand behind this levy and inform the public of the city’s financial situation, giving them accurate information so they can decide what type of city they want to live in.”

Letters from the service department and Teamsters Local 436, which represents most other city staff, expressed criticism of Council’s handling of the present financial situation.

“Past and present decisions made by City Council members have put us in the situation we are in,” says the service department letter. “The employees have had nothing to do with the poor management skills that have been demonstrated in the previous years. The employees have done more to benefit this community than any on the managerial side of the city.”

Council Vice President Ken Martin and Councilor Jan Tulley said they took some exception to criticisms of Council.

“We, all six of us, work very, very hard,” said Martin.

Kuchta said that since he took office at the beginning of 2004, the administration has been working to pay off $3 million in debt while trying to build up cash reserves. He said the financial crisis was caused by events beyond the city’s control.

“The administration didn’t do this, the employees didn’t do this,” said Kuchta. “The economy did this.”

All three letters described in detail the pressing need for the levy’s passage, as well as the increase in employee productivity and sacrifices employees have made in the face of budget cuts over the past two years. This includes agreeing to a wage freeze this year, the second time city employees have agreed to a one-year wage freeze in the last six years, below cost of living wage increases the other four years and an increase of $150 per month in health insurance premium costs for employees.

Finance Director Loren Sengstock said this year’s wage freeze saved the city about $220,000.

E-mail: jsaunders@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3169