Monday night Mayor Aaron Montz gave the city a preview of what Tiffin is going to look like if the proposed 0.25-percent income tax increase does not pass.
During a committee of the whole meeting, Montz went over the working budget for 2013 if the levy does not pass.
"This is the worst case scenario budget," he said. "The best case, obviously, is if the income tax increase passes a week from (today)."
The budget features several cuts, including $263,396 from the police department, $303,003 from the fire department and $104,944 from the street department. The parks department is to see an $111,454 cut, and sewer maintenance is to lose $77,350.
The budget if the levy loses includes elimination of pool facilities, fireworks, parks programs, parks seasonal staff and crossing guards.
Montz said the city has been conducting surveys to see how many students are being assisted in crossing streets; counts were less than
10 students a day at some intersections.
"After talking with other mayors, I do not feel it is the city's responsibility to provide for crossing guards," he said. "When we're looking at losing firemen, policemen, public works, how can we justify having crossing guards crossing intersections less than five (students a day)?"
The budget without the tax increase also includes layoffs of two street workers and one sewer maintenance worker. Montz said employees already have received notice they will be laid off, and their employment will end Nov. 9 if the income tax levy does not pass.
The police department is to operate with 27 out of 31 authorized personnel, and the fire department is to operate with 31 out of 41 authorized personnel.
The budget includes increased health insurance contributions for city employees, as well as no pay raises in 2013, with the exception of longevity raises.
Montz said he and Finance Director Gwynn Reinhart were "very conservative" with budget estimates.
