Tiffin residents would have to do without the city's pool and other parks programs under the mayor's 2010 budget proposal.
The budget includes cuts in most departments, including major cuts in parks and recreation and possible layoffs in the police and fire departments, Mayor Jim Boroff told city council Monday night.
"Each department head made every effort to trim his or her budget to the bare minimum - and I commend their efforts. However, even with these deep cuts, some departments are facing layoffs, unless the respective unions agree to concessions," Boroff said.
According to the proposed budget, Police Chief David LaGrange has slashed operational and maintenance budgets to a minimum. He said that unless the union makes concessions, one officer will remain on layoff and two more officers might be laid off.
The unpaid salary of Sgt. Fred Stevens is to result in $50,500 in savings until his return next fall and one officer resigned and the position remains unfilled. Dispatch is down two people and one position is currently being filled by a laid-off officer.
Fire Chief William Ennis said he does not plan to replace the deputy fire chief, saving $94,000 (including benefits). According to the proposed budget, without union concessions, one firefighter will remain on layoff and two more are to follow, resulting in the department being down six people from 2004.
In addition, Fire Station No. 2 may not be staffed during some hours.
The proposed budget also provides for no part-time help in the Parks and Recreation Department. That means the pool will be closed, there will be no recreational programs, no extra help for maintenance and mowing and no money for Fourth of July fireworks.
Boroff said he has met with Matt Coleman and Steve Dryfuse of the Tiffin Parks and Recreation Department and there is a possibility that they will make a public appeal to fund fireworks and parks programs.
In addition to these cuts, all hourly city employees are to continue working 32.5 hours a week, resulting in a 7-percent reduction in pay. Salaried employees are to continue full work hours but with a 7-percent pay cut.
The projected revenue for 2010 is $10,047,386 with a projected carryover at year end 2010 of $289,456.
Paul Elchert, council president, said copies of the proposed budget are available at the mayor's office.
In his report, Boroff also said that health insurance will cost about 12 percent more next year, even with the city changing from Aetna to Medical Mutual.
"Aetna has a lot of financial turmoil, and they just couldn't find it within themselves to do anything for us," Boroff said.
In other news, William Omlor of Tiffin voiced concern over a proposed increase in registration fees for city trash haulers.
"I'm concerned that is going to pass a direct increase to the consumer on their garbage bills," Omlor said. "I don't think now is the time for that. I think everyone is struggling and making a move like that is going to hurt our small businesses and community."
Boroff said the additional money would not go toward street repairs, but to cover other costs, including spills and overweight trucks.
"We have [enforcement issues] with the refuse haulers and there are a lot of issues that arise," Boroff said. "We have seven refuse haulers and there are multiple things we have to take into consideration, and one of the things we have to monitor them on is to make sure they are giving the citizens what they pay for."
Councilwoman Lori Ritzler said the law and community planning committee is to meet again after Law Director Brent Howard draws up legislation. A copy of the legislation is to be sent to each company operating in Tiffin.
"This is nothing set in stone - it's still a work in progress," Ritzler said.
Councilman Mark Hayes added that the $100 figure bandied about in discussions was merely an example.
After a question from Councilman Rich Cline, it was announced that National Machinery Foundation made a donation to the chamber of commerce to cover the cost of Christmas decorations.
In other business, council approved an ordinance repealing chapter 169 of Tiffin Codified Ordinances regulating cable television with a vote of 7-0.
