Proposed city budget means layoffs for up to 34

YOUNGSTOWN — Up to 34 city workers would be laid off and about 14 vacant positions would remain unfilled in a budget that city council will consider Monday.

The city administration had requested members of six employee unions paid through the city’s general fund take a voluntary 10-percent pay cut by working four less hours a week to avoid layoffs. That’s because the city’s 2009 general fund had a projected $3.3 million deficit.

That request was rejected, though union leaders are to meet Tuesday with city officials to discuss the budget. Layoffs won’t take effect for a few more weeks, Mayor Jay Williams said.

The budget — which by law must be balanced and approved no later than Tuesday — prepared by the administration makes up that $3.3 million shortfall.

The largest revenue increase to the general fund is $1.84 million from the federal economic stimulus package. The largest cut is $860,000 in personnel costs, most of that is in the police department.

About 22 to 26 police officers would lose their jobs and about 7 to 8 other workers from street, park and clerical.

Losing that many police officers would jeopardize the city’s safety, said Edward Colon, president of the 116-member police patrol officers union and vice chairman of the Solidarity Group, which includes officials from each of the city’s unions.

Also, the city is increasing its monthly residential garbage collection fee from $11.75 to $13.75 to raise about $250,000 annually.

For the complete story, read Saturday’s Vindicator or Vindy.com