Over the past six weeks, the residents of the city of Tiffin have been told of all the misfortunes the failed passage of the city income tax is to cause the community. These elected officials have said they have done everything possible and cut the budget to the bare bones.
However, I beg to differ on their opinion. Every morning, these individuals get up and look at themselves in the mirror and they can't see a major part to the solution staring right back at them. These individuals look at departments and head counts, but they never see or can't accept responsibility.
So I am asking each and every elected official of the city of Tiffin plus individuals holding positions of management take these voluntary steps to secure the financial success of Tiffin.
Immediate reduction in their salary of 30 percent.
Immediate contribution of 40 percent toward their health care costs.
Immediate removal from Public Employees Retirement System. In exchange, the city of Tiffin will make a 3-percent contribution to a retirement plan of choice of the officials.
All vacation days, sick days and any other form of compensation must be taken in the calendar year; no more carryover.
Only city vehicles may be used for official purposes, no using personal vehicles and being reimbursed.
Wage freeze for three years and permanent removal from participation in PERS.
Effective Jan 1.
Please see this is a voluntary program and if these individuals have the best interest of Tiffin in their heart and not in their wallet, they should accept this proposal without hesitation. Tiffin's population has gone from the mid-20,000s down to the mid-17,000s today, but salaries and benefits for these individuals continued to escalate. I'm sure the most recently elected Seneca County commissioners would endorse this idea except for the salary reduction, which already has been cut 18 percent by the current commissioners.
To change government starts at the local level, and Tiffin has a golden opportunity to save a great deal of money, not only in the short run, but most importantly for decades ahead. I encourage these individuals to make the same sacrifice they have asked of all city employees but also what the people of Tiffin having been experiencing for these past four years.
Sincerely,
Kevin Carrigan,
Tiffin
