Amador County – The Ione City Council held a special meeting Monday (June 21st) to discuss its upcoming fiscal year, which comes with a projected General Fund deficit of $642,000. The council hosted a workshop on the draft 2010-2011 fiscal year budget, and look at a staff report that included 1 layoff, some staffing reductions, and about $70,000 in union employee reductions in savings, or an optional reduction in hours across the board. City Manager Kim Kerr in a report completed Sunday said the city’s projected General Fund deficit of approximately $642,000 in the proposed 2010-2011 budget included $1.9 million in projected revenue and $2.5 million in expenses. Kerr said the “primary area to continue to reduce expenses is in salaries and benefits.” Kerr in the report listed the city council’s main goals and priorities, led by maintaining and “public safety services at current service levels” and enhancing the services as “revenues improve.” Number 2 on the list was to “continue resolving wastewater issues by completing the city’s Wastewater Master Plan including obtaining a new discharge permit” from the state. Kerr said current agreements with union employees impose a 2% cost of living raise, plus a 5% raise for police officers and sergeants, and the combined building official/public works director. Medical insurance is increasing 9.4% on average for various plans and dental insurance is going up 5.6%, Kerr said, noting that the city now pays “up to $1,100 per employee for medical insurance and the full cost of dental, vision and life insurance coverage.” Kerr said other employee benefits have led the city council to authorize “the negotiating team to seek cost savings or reductions from employees.” She said that was authorized during a City Council closed session meeting April 20th, and “those negotiations have begun.” Kerr in the report recommended $145,000 in specific cuts, including laying off a mechanic; reducing the building inspector to ½ time; and a 20% cut of the police clerk’s hours. Kerr also recommended either seeking “reductions from the bargaining units totaling General Fund cost savings” of $70,000; or reducing the “work week to 36 hours at a savings of approximately $70,000.” Kerr said “staff recognizes the need to make additional cuts to the general fund of at least $100,000” and would be “reviewing whether there are additional increases in revenues available.” Kerr also recommended “limiting or eliminating intra-fund loans this year.” She said all city departments participated in developing the draft budget. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Tuesday, 22 June 2010 06:04
Ione Talks Next Year’s Budget Deficit
Amador County – The Ione City Council held a special meeting Monday (June 21st) to discuss its upcoming fiscal year, which comes with a projected General Fund deficit of $642,000. The council hosted a workshop on the draft 2010-2011 fiscal year budget, and look at a staff report that included 1 layoff, some staffing reductions, and about $70,000 in union employee reductions in savings, or an optional reduction in hours across the board. City Manager Kim Kerr in a report completed Sunday said the city’s projected General Fund deficit of approximately $642,000 in the proposed 2010-2011 budget included $1.9 million in projected revenue and $2.5 million in expenses. Kerr said the “primary area to continue to reduce expenses is in salaries and benefits.” Kerr in the report listed the city council’s main goals and priorities, led by maintaining and “public safety services at current service levels” and enhancing the services as “revenues improve.” Number 2 on the list was to “continue resolving wastewater issues by completing the city’s Wastewater Master Plan including obtaining a new discharge permit” from the state. Kerr said current agreements with union employees impose a 2% cost of living raise, plus a 5% raise for police officers and sergeants, and the combined building official/public works director. Medical insurance is increasing 9.4% on average for various plans and dental insurance is going up 5.6%, Kerr said, noting that the city now pays “up to $1,100 per employee for medical insurance and the full cost of dental, vision and life insurance coverage.” Kerr said other employee benefits have led the city council to authorize “the negotiating team to seek cost savings or reductions from employees.” She said that was authorized during a City Council closed session meeting April 20th, and “those negotiations have begun.” Kerr in the report recommended $145,000 in specific cuts, including laying off a mechanic; reducing the building inspector to ½ time; and a 20% cut of the police clerk’s hours. Kerr also recommended either seeking “reductions from the bargaining units totaling General Fund cost savings” of $70,000; or reducing the “work week to 36 hours at a savings of approximately $70,000.” Kerr said “staff recognizes the need to make additional cuts to the general fund of at least $100,000” and would be “reviewing whether there are additional increases in revenues available.” Kerr also recommended “limiting or eliminating intra-fund loans this year.” She said all city departments participated in developing the draft budget. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Latest from
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