Township proposes lay-offs

Tax levy cap and loss of revenue force reductions, officials say Sparta — The township’s budget meetings began with a bang this week on Monday and Tuesday evenings. Mayor Scott Seelagy and Township Manager David Troast announced the state’s new two percent cap on tax levy increases allows for an increase in the operational budget of only $309,000. However, due to an increase in expenses and a loss of revenue, the municipal budget is $1.6 million over the two percent cap, resulting in the need to cut over $700,000. This must be done primarily through lay-offs, Troast said. Seelagy explained that anticipated revenues for 2011 are down around $716,000 while expenditures increased around $950,000. He also said the state does not include increases in health care, pension obligations, and long-term debt service in the tax levy cap calculations and these increases are over $600,000. This forces the overall tax levy increase to 5.2 percent, or $16 million. Troast said the budget process began six months ago and included much careful consideration and many sleepless nights on his part. He said, “The town must provide services in the interest of the public safety and welfare of the citizens in spite of economic challenges.” All unions were informed about the budget problems, Troast said, and were all asked to consider various concessions such as furloughs, wage freezes, and contributions to their health benefits. He said he asked for ideas and suggestions for lowering expenses and raising revenue, but did not get much response. Police department to bear the brunt The result is a manager’s plan that includes employee lay-offs, with the police department bearing the brunt of these. The plan includes a reduction of six police positions and two dispatch personnel. Other lay-offs include one construction worker and one DPW worker. The Civil Service has approved the manager’s lay-off plan and it will go into effect within 45 days, unless concessions are made. The police department is resisting Troast’s plan and over a dozen of Sparta’s current 35 member force were present for the meetings. A handout was presented to all meeting attendees from the Sparta Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 26, titled, “It’s not about the money.” The publication says that to maintain Sparta’s current police department operational level, it will cost the average household 17 cents per day. They say the population of Sparta has grown by 31 percent in the last 20 years and police call volume has gone up. With the proposed reductions, police say they will have to move to a more reactive type of policing, rather than the proactive model of policing they have established, adding, “While it is more costly, proactive policing is far more successful in crime prevention than reactive policing.” Currently, 17 officers make over $100,000. Two years ago, the township negotiated a contract with police that included a 3.75 percent increase, when the state’s tax levy cap was at four percent. Troast said now the town cannot afford this and remain within the state mandated two percent cap. So an impasse has resulted and in light of recent events (see article on recent crimes), citizens are polarized on both sides. Some say they feel safer with more police, while others say the number of officers at their current salaries is excessive. Trying to arrive at a solution Police say they have made concession offers, such as a 20 percent medical co-pay, reduction in overtime compensation, and a reduction of compensable leave time to maintain staffing at its current level. Troast said this is insufficient and concessions of at least $400,000 are necessary to close the budget gap. Troast has now proposed a plan that would prevent all lay-offs if police agree to a wage roll-back to 2008 levels and take only a one percent increase for next year, in addition to contributing 20 percent toward their health benefits. Police have not yet responded to this offer. Seelagy said, “This offer is fair and reasonable and can prevent the lay-offs. Police insistence on receiving their full 3.75 percent increase is one of the major factors that led to the manager’s lay-off plan.” Seelagy emphasized the council fully understands and supports the need for public safety, but added, “Those who stress public safety without considering the economic realities the town is facing, are considering only half the equation.” An additional budget meeting scheduled for tonight has been cancelled. Another meeting is scheduled for tomorrow night, April 1, at 7 p.m.