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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/29/2009 *0 Xx. 0 B A K E R S F I E L D CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE MEMORANDUM May 29, 2009 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Coin FROM: Alan Tandy, City Manager SUBJECT: General Information MISCELLANEOUS CITY NEWS —� A revised memo regarding the City's recent financial history and future financial risks is enclosed. In addition to the $6.5 million the State is trying to take under Prop 1A (2004), they now seem to be pursuing taking our Gas Tax of $4.8 million, which is critical revenue to us. The state has borrowed this from us in the past. This is proposed as a take. We use $2.0 million of it to pay for street signs and painting. It serves as our local match to attract other federal and State road monies and it pays for much of our routine street maintenance. If they follow through with this it would be devastating! Convention & Visitors Bureau staff has been working diligently with local individuals and the private sector in an effort to bring a stage finish and/or start of the 2010 Amgen Tour of California to Bakersfield. The race is the largest cycling event in America that challenges the world's top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding 750-mile course and is set to take place May 16 — 23, 2010. The race is broadcast in the United States on the Versus network and international broadcasters televise the race in more than 200 countries. If awarded a stage, Bakersfield stands to receive unparalleled positive media exposure and an influx of guests to the city, resulting in a positive economic impact. The proposal is scheduled to be sent to race promoter AEG in June and the announcement of stage cities is expected to be made in late July. David King, a Communications Technician II in the Communications Division of Public Works, has been honored with receiving the National Radio Frequency Technologist of the Year award by the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) this month. Mr. King has worked for the City for twenty years after learning his skills in the military, followed by a period of time in private industry. His primary responsibilities consist of the City's systems maintenance of the Police Department Communications Center equipment and the microwave and two-way radio networks. Mr. King will receive his award later this summer. He will be one of six individuals honored for their accomplishments in the field of Public Safety Communications for 2009 at APCO International's 75th Annual Conference and Exposition. As a reminder, we received no Council requests to hold the Budget Hearing on Monday, June 8th at noon so we are assuming it is cancelled. The "new" Central Park is looking very good. 1h We had a positive ribbon cutting today and a positive opening day is scheduled for Saturday, May 25 . Honorable Mayor and City Council May 29, 2009 Page 2 The Streets Division work schedule for the week of June 1St is enclosed. MORE ON THE BUDGET AND THE ECONOMY Enclosed are more articles from various newspapers that highlight the difficult times public agencies are facing and how they are adjusting their budgets. CALPELRA BULLETIN — This bulletin contains the highlights of CALPELRA's first membership survey about California's public sector employers' strategies for dealing with the reduction in revenues. 70% of the respondents were cities and counties. • 93% reported less total general fund revenue projected for the next fiscal year as compared with the prior year: o 36.2% reported a loss of 9% or more. As you will recall, our General Fund in the Proposed Budget is 8.8% lower. • 56.8% are planning or have implemented layoffs. • 38.9% are proposing or have implemented compensation reductions for next fiscal year. Of those reductions: o 34.2% have reduced the agency's payment of employee's pension contribution; o 79.9% eliminated previously planned COLA increases; o 31.7% reduced salaries by more than 2%; and, o 20.3% reduced salaries by more than 5%. • 22.9% reported one or more unions offering to postpone previously agreed upon compensation increases. • 19.0% reported unilaterally adopting compensation reductions in either salary or benefits. KERN COUNTY, CA— Facing a minimum of 15 percent budget cuts to close a $72 million budget gap, officials are moving immediately to lay off employees in June before the Supervisors draft a budget that could require job cuts. The layoffs would come from the General Services Department, District Attorney's office, Parks and Recreation Department, Assessor's office, Personnel Department, and Animal Control Department. The Sheriff's Department plans to cut 103 jobs, including 88 deputy Sheriffs. The Fire Department has not been forced to layoff employees, but would be forced to reduce the number of firefighters that man some remote stations from three to two and hold 69 vacant positions open. In all, the County could lose at least 251 workers. The County has started union negotiations and are asking to delay raises and for existing employees to pay into health care and retirement plans. Making matters worst, the State's capture of money from the County could force $30 million in additional cuts which could include cutting 964 full-time jobs. Fire Department layoffs would jump from zero to 45. Sheriff's Department layoffs would jump from 103 to 219. Parks and Recreation would lose 34 jobs. MILPITAS, CA — The City expects that it will have to layoff twenty-one employees in order to close a $10.5 million deficit. In an attempt to avert layoffs, the city offered a 2.5 percent retiree pension giveback plan, which was rejected by the unions. SACRAMENTO, CA — Three fire stations in the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District will close in an effort to cut $4.5 million into an $11 million budget shortfall. Other cuts have not yet been determined but are being negotiated with labor and management. Honorable Mayor and City Council May 29, 2009 Page 3 SANTA CRUZ, CA — Rank-and-file police officers have been asked to take a 10 percent pay cut, but so far their union has rejected an across-the-board reduction to salaries. In order to cut part of $2.3 million out of the Police Department budget, ten police officers and one civilian received layoff notices last week. Two vacant officer positions were also cut. The loss of twelve sworn positions represents a 13 percent reduction in the Department's compliment. WATSONVILLE, CA — The city has reached tentative deals on concessions with all but the firefighters union. The city is seeking up to 10 percent in pay cuts to help close a $4.5 million budget gap. The police union, which had another full year on its contract and didn't have to come to the table, have agreed to the concessions. RESPONSES TO COUNCIL REQUESTS • A response to a question from Councilmember Couch from the May 20th budget presentations is enclosed. AT:rs:rk cc: Department Heads Pamela McCarthy, City Clerk Roberta Gafford, Assistant City Clerk S A K E R S F I E L D OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER MEMORANDUM May 29, 2009 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Coun FROM: Alan Tandy, City Manager / SUBJECT: Recent Financial History anal Future Financial Risks - Revised Staff has been asked to summarize what has happened to our finances over the last year, as well as to outline the future risks the City faces in regard to our finances. Financial History in the Last Year The economic times we are in are unprecedented and appear to be continuing. Job losses, store closures and downward trends in income levels are pervasive in the economy. Since the national, state and local economies all fell into a crisis situation, all major General Fund revenues fell into a continuing decline, including: Sales Tax, Property Tax, State motor vehicle in-lieu tax, building permits, plumbing permits, electrical permits, mechanical permits, and street and curb permits, etc. In addition, non General Fund revenue sources fell into decline, including: Transportation Development Fees, Park Development Fees, Sewer Connection Fees, etc. General Fund Revenue Trends It became necessary in November 2008 and March 2009 to adjust revenue projections downward in response to the following: • Sales Taxes are projected to decline in FY 2008-09 by 7%. Sales Taxes are projected to decline in FY 2009-10 by 5%. Recent store and business closures which have resulted in increased unemployment rates may require further downward adjustment to the above sales tax projections. • Property Taxes are projected to have zero growth in FY 2008-09. This compares to the historical average growth of approximately 7%. Property taxes are projected by the County Assessor to decline in FY 2009-10 by 11%. Due to stagnant and Honorable Mayor and City Council May 29, 2009 Page 2 depressed real estate markets, what will happen in FY 2010-11 is unknown. Budget Balancing Efforts To keep the budget in balance, expenditure controls were put in place, including: the extension of a hiring freeze, reductions in overtime, travel, training, etc. Many purchases were deferred, and the life of equipment and vehicles were extended. Appropriations for the current fiscal year were adjusted downward in December 2008. In response to these changing economic realities, the City has acted to reduce staffing through attrition over the past year with 141 positions being frozen and then eliminated mid-year to address the anticipated revenue shortfalls noted above. Including these positions, a total of 150 positions have been eliminated since July 1, 2008. Eleven additional positions are proposed for possible displacement in the proposed FY 2009-10 budget. The proposed FY 2009-10 General Fund budget is $15.8 million less than the FY 2008- 09 Adopted Budget. State Budget The Legislature and the Governor attempted to address a $40 billion shortfall in the California's General Fund in February 2009. Their actions provided little relief or certainty that they would not "borrow" money from cities and counties. With the voters' rejection of the ballot measures on May 19th, they continue to have a massive budget deficit estimated at $21 to $24 billion. Financial Risks in the Future Further Decreases in Sales Tax Receipts We prepared the FY 2009-10 Proposed Budget based on the assumption of a 5% decrease from this year's revenues. With store closures, industry layoffs, and potential losses of government jobs in the County and State, it could get worse. Since everything we are facing is without precedent, estimating the potential amount is difficult. A 1% drop in sales tax, however, is worth $550,000 in General Fund money per year. Higher Pension Costs In 2005, the CaIPERS Board adopted rate stabilization methods to mitigate the impact of fluctuations in the investment return on employer rates. As a result of this unique market downturn, the CalPERS fund is expected to lose approximately 25% of its value and the current smoothing method will not handle this very well. Such a decline will have a significant impact on the funded status of plans at CalPERS and on the contribution rates that we as the employer will have to pay in the future. CaIPERS' current smoothing method will result in a large rate increase in the 2011-12 fiscal year in Honorable Mayor and City Council May 29, 2009 Page 3 the amount of $5 to 6 million. In order to mitigate this large rate increase, CalPERS is considering changing its smoothing method to stair step the increase over 3 years. State Capture under Prop 1A (2004) The Governor has proposed "borrowing" from cities and counties under a provision of Prop 1A (2004). The cost to Bakersfield is estimated at $6.5 million in General Fund Property Taxes. Momentum for this has been building. It would, in theory, be a "borrow" for three years, but could be extended to six with a second "borrow" to repay the first "borrow". This action, Statewide would temporarily address about 10% of the State's problem. State Capture of Gas Tax and Prop 42 Funds On May 21, 2009, the Legislative Analyst recommended taking our local Gas Tax funds ($4.8 million). The Governor's revised budget also proposes to take part of our Gas Tax funds. In our Operating budget, Gas Tax funds are used to pay the salaries of fifteen employees in our Street Signing & Marking section in Public Works ($1.2 million); signing, marking, traffic, and curb paint supplies ($468,000); work performed by outside contractors prior to street resurfacing/reconstruction projects ($1.28 million); and, supplies and materials used in the maintenance and reconstruction of city streets ($1.02 million). The impact to the community will be highly visible as pot holes will not be fixed and pavement on residential streets will be rough. The Capital Improvement Program budget contains seven projects that are funded with Gas Tax ($889,300), including: bridge improvements or retrofits, median island installation and landscaping improvements, and rail road quiet zone improvements. There are four projects that are partially funded with Gas Tax ($657,204) as the local match for Federal Highway Administration ($5,242,550) funds for pavement rehabilitation, new street signals, and our traffic monitoring cameras and signal communication network. If the State seizes our Gas Tax funds we will also risk losing the federal funds. The State also wants to "take" our Prop 42 funds, commonly referred to as Traffic Congestion Relief Funds. We have budgeted $750,000 in the FY 2009-10 CIP to refurbish asphalt pavement on local streets in various areas. Additional Potential State Actions In the past, the Legislature has proven to be very creative in how they feed off of local government revenues. They could take booking fees ($1.3 million), and/or COPS Grant monies ($300,000). Another interruption in STIP and Park project funds is also possible. Honorable Mayor and City Council May 29, 2009 Page 4 Additional Property Tax Losses Property Tax is our second largest revenue source after Sales Tax. The County Assessor has indicated that valuations will be lower by 11% for the 2009-10 fiscal year. There is no guarantee that there will not be further reductions for the 2010-11 fiscal year. Lower property valuations could also reduce the amount the County pays us under the Fire JPA contract. Property Tax Administration Fees There is a pending court case in another jurisdiction that could cost us $1.7 million a year in Property Tax administration fees, if it goes "the wrong way." Other Potential Items The County of Kern is facing cutbacks which may be in excess of 20%. We have several contractual relationships with them. In difficult times, fees under such contracts may become problematic. Summary In short, we have already experienced unprecedented losses by making the necessary budget reductions to operate within our available resources. The budget may be in a continual state of adjustment as we are potentially "at risk" for much more in terms of revenue losses or captures. Page 1 of 2 STREETS DIVISION — WORK SCHEDULE WEEK OF JUNE 1, 2009 —JUNE 5, 2009 Resurfacing/Reconstructing streets in the following areas: Start resurfacing Masterson Street Thursday, June 4, 2009. Continue working on placing an oilsand (cold-mix) overlay on Manor Street from Denise Street to the south City limits. Reconstructing streets in the area between No. Laurelglen Boulevard & So. Laurelglen Boulevard, east of Gosford Road. Continue reconstructing streets in the area between Fairfax Road & Shiloh Ranch Road, north of Panorama Drive. Continue sealing streets in the area between Allen Road & Calloway Drive, south of Snow Road. Miscellaneous Streets Division projects: Working on the Saunders Park project. THIS SPACE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK Week of June 1-2009—Work Schedule Page 2 of 2 STREETS SWEEPING SCHEDULE Monday, June 1, 2009 Between Golden State & 16" St. - "F" St. & Oak St. /Kern River Boundary Between 34th St. & 301h St. — Chester Ave. & San Dimas St. Between San Dimas St. & Beale Ave. — 34th/Bernard St. & Niles St. Between Olive Dr. & Riverlakes Dr. (ext.) — Riverlakes Dr. & Coffee Rd. Tuesday, June 2, 2009 Between California Ave. & Brundage Ln. — Oak St. & Union Ave. Between Renfro Rd. & Jenkins Rd. — Stockdale Hwy. & Kern River Boundary. Wednesday, June 3, 2009 Between Panorama Dr. & Bernard St. -- Union Ave. & Loma Linda Dr. Between River Blvd. & E. Columbus St. — Panorama Dr. & Columbus St. Between College Ave. & Azalea Ave. — Mountain Dr. & Raval St. Between Ming Ave. & White Ln. —Allen Rd. & Buena Vista Rd. Thursday, June 4, 2009 City areas between Kentucky St. & Quincy St. — Owens St. & Virginia St. Between Union Ave. & Washington St. — E. Truxtun Ave. & Brundage Ln. Between Progress Rd. & Old River Rd. — Panama Ln. & Pacheco Rd. (alignment) City areas between Progress Rd. & Old River Rd. — Meadow Falls Dr. & Rose Creek Dr. Friday, June 5, 2009 Between Buena Vista Rd. & Allen Rd. — Harris Rd. & Panama Ln. Between Buena Vista Rd. & Mountain Vista Dr. — Panama Ln. & Birkshire Rd. Between SR 178 & Paladino Dr. — W. Columbus St. & Morning Dr. City areas between Sterling Rd. & Morning Dr. — SR 178 & College Ave. Between Valley St. & Lene Pl. — SR 178 & Hickory Dr. Between SR 178 & Reynard Rd. — Kern Canyon Rd. & McKenna St. Between Stockdale Hwy. & Joseph Dr. — McDonald Way & N. Stine Rd. Week of June 1_2009_Work Schedule UK r CALPELRA, Bulletin Negotiating During An Economic Crisis Unofficial Survey And Results Here are the highlights of CALPELRA's first membership survey about California's public sector employers' strategies for dealing with the reduction in revenues. From over 300 responses received during the initial survey period,and before the state propositions failed,we observed the following trends: • Almost 70% of respondents were cities and counties. Others responding were school districts,state universities,trial courts,and special districts. • More than 93% reported less total general fund revenue projected for the next fiscal year as compared with the prior year. The range of projected loss varied,with: • 79.9% reporting loss of more than 4%; 1�+°�����i����,i�'��I • 46.5% reporting loss of more than 7%; 0, and • 36.2% reporting loss of 9% or more. Negotiating D Economic Cris • 56.8% of respondents are planning or have Time Is Ru implemented layoffs, with the layoffs being 2009-2010 generated by: • Eliminating ntire services 29.8% ; Californian g ( ) Board Of D • Eliminating entire programs (30.8%);or °. CALPELRA Boar . • Eliminating entire departments (3.4%). Important Dates } F pi California Public Employer Labor Relations Association CALPELRA is affiliated with NPELRA(National Public Employer Labor Relations Association) — May 26 , 2009 , Issue No . 09 - 01 — • 38.9% of respondents are proposing or have implemented compensation reductions for next fiscal year. Of those reductions: 0 34.2% reduce the agency's payment of employee's pension contribution; • 22.8% freeze step increases for next year; • 79.9% eliminate previously planned COLA increases; 0 31.7% reduce salaries by more than 2%; • 20.3% reduce salaries more than 5%;and • 46.8% reduce overtime by changing work rules or the structure of work groups. • As far as negotiations to date for next year: • 17.7% of respondents have already negotiated reductions in pay; • 32.8% reported one or more unions proposing to roll over an agreement without a compensation increase for next year;; 0 22.9% reported one or more unions offering to postpone previously agreed upon compensation increases;and • 19.0% reported unilaterally adopting compensation reductions in either salary or benefits. We are all adapting in a fast changing economic environment, and the revenue picture changes daily. If you haven't yet participated in our survey, please visit www.surveymonkey And please let us know what we can do to make future surveys more meaningful to you or your agency by contacting Susan Cassell at CALPELRA's Executive Office I Please note that this link will not take you to the survey if you have already completed the survey,or if someone else has completed the survey using your computer. Time Is Running Apply For 1 2009-20 10 CALPELRA Membership A 2008-2009 Rates CALPELRA's membership year begins on July I and ends on June 30. Apply for a new 2009-20 10 membership or renew your 2008-2009 membership before June 1, 2009,1111111 . •.y last year's membership rates! join or renew now and begin taking advantagem of all that CALPELRA o — CAL PELRA , May 26 , 2009 , Issue No . 09 - 01 — 2 County layoffs being proposed early-Bakersfield.com Page 2 of 3 LOCAL NEWS ........-............................._......................_......-.._........-._-..........-..-........................-._..............._...._.-._...-.......-._.............._._........ Home>News>Local _......................._....-................._.........__._..........-.._.._.. 13 R551eed&Print Story Buzz up!©MY SAsrc� County layoffs being proposed early Search Classifieds . M..All BY JAMES BURGER,Californian staff writer Place..an Ad I BakoDeals Advertise with Us Jburger @bakersfield.com I Wednesday,May 27 2009 05:56 PM _ Last Updated Wednesday,May 27 2009 05:56 PM FTTOPICS: Officials in two Kern County Bakersfield child killed on Highway 166-Bak_ersfield.com departments have read the writing on Breaking News:Raw Report:Double fatals ID'd from the wall and moved immediately to lay Brundage homicide off employees in June,a month before Three-year-old shoots younger sibling in accident- the Board of Supervisors will draft a Bakersfield_com budget that could require the job cuts. Search and rescue volunteer dies at Oceano Dunes- Twentyjobs are at risk in the District Attorney's office. Assistant District Attorney Mike Saleen said his office will ask supervisors to authorize the layoffs in June. Facing a minimum 15 percent budget cut to a workforce-heavy department,Saleen said,it has become clear that layoffs are the only way to"meeting those budget declines." The cuts would come from the ranks of deputy district attorneys,investigators,fraud investigators and investigative aides,he said. Autos AVON",Business opportunity .00 with_free gif._. But why lay off people before supervisors adopt a budget in late July? Jobs -- SALES EXP HELPFUL Must have Merchandise Flexible sche-dule R.;_, Saleen said the county's fiscal year starts on July 1 and keeping positions open in the hopes they won't be cut isn't prudent. Pets Computer 29 serious ppi to work from home using, General Services Director Jeff Frapwell,the county's former budget director,said he also plans to take Rentals an early layoff plan to supervisors on June 9. Schools CONSTRUCTION Entry level -.._._..............._ positions.No exp.nec,.W... "We're going to be faced with a reduction in our budget,"he said."I think the most prudent thing to do is to take some action now to prepare ourself for next year." Management Mercy Hospitals of Bakersfield is curr... Frapwell lost nine of his 209 authorized positions in the mid-year budget revise and has been holding COOK ASSISTANT/FOOD PREP Food 20 other empty jobs unfilled. service exp read... Laying off another 12 workers will cut deeper into his ability to run his department,he said. BRAUN ELECTRIC COMPANY Come join the Premier... Frapwell said he believes he has no choice but to lay off his workers. RN Case Manager Priority Care "I would never unnecessarily impact people's lives unless I thought there were no alternatives,"he $2.000.00 bonus_... said."We think,given our average salary,we're looking at 12 positions." More Too Jobs Supervisors will have the chance to veto both the General Services and District Attorney cuts. Interim County Administrative Officer Elissa Ladd said her office will give supervisors a critical Need to sell something?Place your ad "snapshot"Tuesday of where the county budget plan sits. The budget is"not balanced yet,"she said,and several departments will be looking closely at the figures to see if they need to take advance action of their own. E3 RSS Feed&�rint.5t" ory Buzz u ! http://www.bakersfiield.com/news/locai/x34165416/County-layoffs-being-proposed-early 5/28/2009 New round of deep county cuts floated- Bakersfield.com Page 2 of 4 LOCAL NEWS _ ..__.._..-..._...._................................. -_.................................._...._._._..__....._............. Home>News>Local RSS Feed&Print Story Buzz up!©NYX>ue . New round of deep county cuts floated Search Classifieds iew All BY JAMES BURGER,Californian staff writer Place an Ad l Cheapskate l Advertise wi_t_h Us iburger @bakersfield.com l Thursday,May 28 2009 05:41 PM Last Updated Thursday,May 28 2009 05:41 PM HOTTOWS. I Kern County government is projected Police:Gun used to kill 2-year-old had bullet in chamber, ! to lose at least 251 workers as it was...._-Bakers6eld_com struggles to compensate for a$72 -" Breaking News:Raw Report:Double fatals ID'd from million hole in its spending plan. Brundage homicide dow* Bakersfield child killed on Hi hwa 166-Bakersfield.com The move would trigger sharp service �'� --_ iiiiiii lam Three-vear-old shoots vouneer sibling in accident- cuts,cost 88 deputy sheriff jobs,trigger the release of nearly 600 prisoners from Lerdo Jail and pile more casework on county social workers. And those cuts wouldn't even balance the budget. They'd leave a$13.6 million funding hole in the developing budget and fail to address more than$30 million in additional cuts possible if the state of California seizes local cash to patch its own gaping deficit. Autos HVAC SERVICE CH Min 5 yrs exp.. Giving that money to the state would force the county to axe 964 full-time jobs. _TIE - — Bene_fts,.wages-,_ On Thursday the County Administrative Office released two stark working drafts of the impacts the Jobs MYSTERY SHOPPERS Earn up to$100 2009-2010 budget could have on jobs and operations. Merchandise per day_Undercov_. "This is still very preliminary,"Budget Director Gloria Dominguez cautioned."We're providing Pets Cook Line orTaauero exp.5yrs in supervisors the answers to questions they've asked." Rentals M.e-.xic_an food.... NO ILLUSIONS Schools WEB DESIGNER P T Must be experienced in Design D... But county officials are under few illusions that they will be able to escape even the less drastic plan COOK ASSISTANT,FOOD PREP Food that accounts only for the county's own revenue losses. service exp read.... At least six county departments plan to ask the Board of Supervisors to immediately bless the layoffs Traffic Clerk-Radio(FT)to handle listed in the CAO's report so they can release the workers prior to the beginning of the fiscal year in multiple radio... July. AUTO SALES REP Seeking highly The District Attorney's office and the General Services Department announced their call for layoffs on motivated Auto Sale... Wednesday. AIR QUALITY ENGINEER 1-$4,069- 54,945/Mo 11 On Thursday the Parks and Recreation Department,Assessor's office,Personnel Department and Animal Control Department all confirmed they will ask supervisors to support layoffs in early to mid- More Top Jobs June. And more departments are likely to follow suit. Need to sell something?Place your ad "I know there are many,many departments that are working on it and we will be hearing from them in the future,"said Personnel Department Director Mark Quinn,whose office will process all the layoffs and is losing six jobs of its own. Sharp impacts Human Services Director Pat Cheadle said the 44 permanent jobs she stands to lose under the initial county proposal doesn't take into account the 122 full-time temporary workers she will let go on June 30. http://www.bakersfield.com/news/locaUx34165555/New-round-of-deep-county-cuts-floated 5/29/2009 New round of deep county cuts floated- Bakersfield.com Page 3 of 4 Ateela Those"extra help"employees aren't Say Goodbye to Wrinkles janitors or clerks. Read How a Mom Combined 2 Products and Made Her Wrinkles Vanish... "Were talking about case-carrying AngiesWrinkles.com Click here for amazin_&de_als on Thursday and - Fri workers,"said. 1 Rule To Lose Your Gut Friday ay depe.rtures.Mexicans Airlines. ' I cut down 38 Its of pure body fat in just 19 weeks with this Kern County Assessor Jim Fitch said he 1 rule. Helens D iat.com/Bldg plans to lay off six people,further draining his ability to reassess property "fit—Wrinkles Are Gone!" values in the volatile real estate market. Learn How a Mom Combined 2 Products to Easily Get Rid of Her Wrinkles. www.suzanSkinSuccess.com "There will be a cost to the county if I am understaffed,"he said."We will not have sufficient staff to collect information to back up analysis of properties.Businesses will report to us what they want to Flat Stomachpi_et Works pay on taxes." I Ray lost 4 lbs of body fat with this 1 easy diet I saw on l HelensDiet.com/Secret He puts the cost to the county at$12 million. Buy a link here Parks and Recreation Director Bob Lerude said the public is already seeing the impact from department belt-tightening that has left 28 existing jobs empty and blocked the hiring of 35 seasonal workers. "Grass isn't getting mowed as often.Restrooms aren't being cleaned as often.Trash isn't being picked up as often,"he said. County-proposed cuts of nine more full-time,permanent workers will just intensify the problem,he said. PUBLIC SAFETY More than 103 of the 251 jobs lost in the county plan are in the Sheriff's Department. Sheriff Donny Youngblood said 88 of those laid off would be deputy Sheriffs. Those jobs are at risk despite the fact that the Sheriff's Department budget would grow by$2 million- -not decreased by 15 percent like most other county departments. Youngblood said pay increases approved by supervisors are swamping his ability to protect jobs. "I have spent the last year as the sheriff cutting everything I can cut.Anything I cut now is people," Youngblood said. Youngblood said he will likely have to close part of Lerdo Jail. "You're releasing 560 prisoners,over 400 of which are felons,"he said. Supervisor Don Maben said protecting public safety remains the priority. "We know the reality.We've been talking about this for six months.We're going to do the best we can to provide critical services that the county needs,"Maben said."We need to get back to the basics-- and what I mean is,when you call 911,you want somebody to respond." The Kern County Fire Department,which is largely supported by property taxes dedicated to fire suppression,would not be forced to layoff workers. But the Fire Department would be forced to reduce the number of firefighters that man some remote stations from three to two and hold 69 vacant positions open. GLIMMER OF HOPE The county isn't without some ability to avoid draconian cuts. Supervisors have access to a$32 million"rainy day"reserve--money they can re-direct to the general fund. But that's one-time money--a temporary fix to budget deficits that are likely to continue into future http://www.bakersfield.com/news/local/x34165555/New-round-of-deep-county-cuts-floated 5/29/2009 New round of deep county cuts floated-Bakersfield.com Page 4 of 4 Some hope could come from union negotiations just now getting underway. The county has asked to delay raises negotiated with unions and for existing employees to pay into health care and retirement plans. Dominguez said whatever savings could be realized there will help the county. But there could be worse to come. WORST-CASE If the state budget cuts proposed by Gov.Arnold Schwarzenegger materialize,Kern County would face a far darker 12 months. The County Administrative Office has estimated the impacts of those cuts as well. Fire Department layoffs would jump from zero to 45. Sheriff's Department layoffs would jump from 103 to 219. Parks and Recreation would lose 34 jobs. And the list goes on. Supervisor Mike Maggard said supervisors must now come to grips with the difficult situation they are in. "We just begin on Tuesday to discuss where we go,"he said."Its become clear that the only way to close these gaps is to have very significant layoffs." 13 RSS Feed Print Story Buzz up!©MY iie f, Copyright 2009 The Bakersfield Californian Privacy Policy I Terms of Use I Jobs at The Californian I Advertise With Us I The Bakersfield Californian Foundation http://www.bakersfield.com/news/local/x34165555/New-round-of-deep-county-cuts-floated 5/29/2009 Proposed layoffs shake up Milpitas city hall- The Milpitas Post Online Page 1 of 3 Proposed layoffs shake up informed employees that layoffs would be coming. Milpitas city I In a May 14 memorandum from Chris Darker,a business 7 manager with United Public Employees of California Local 792 that represents the interests of Milpitas Employee Association and three other unions here,to Milpitas Human Resources by Ian Bauer Director Carmen Valdez,he claimed that no alternatives to employee layoffs were accepted by the city. Posted:05/20/2009 03:42:28 PM PDT Uncertainty about their future has sullied the week for some "We were advised that although associations had been initially City of Milpitas workers,as officials for the first time in invited to submit input and recommendations about possible memory began issuing layoff notices.It is expected that 21 mitigating effects to avert layoffs(in whole or in part),our full-time city employees will be released by June 30 as jobs are suggestions were rejected with no opportunity for further taken from all but two city departments. dialogue,"Darker wrote."A properly conducted meet and confer process would have allowed us to fully canvass the Last week,Milpitas officials announced staffing cuts would be implementation and impacts of layoffs or provide additional needed to close City of Milpitas'once-anticipated$8.7-million alternatives such as furloughs or temporary benefit 2009/10 fiscal deficit which now has grown to$10.5 million suspensions.In previous correspondence,we clearly stated with a state grab of an additional$1.8 million in property our willingness to engage in such discussions on behalf of taxes.Eliminating the jobs,which equate to about 5 percent four bargaining units." of the full-time work force,is expected to save the city about $1.8 million next year. Darker's letter said Milpitas'unions were not given sufficient opportunity to discuss the impacts of layoffs,on behalf of Beginning May 13,based on least years on the job by classification,city workers began to receive pink slips.The affected employees and bargaining units as required by law. lowest-ranking members in each department who were not On Monday,City Attorney Mike Ogaz responded to Darker in given layoff notices,were offered positions within other a letter,countering that the city had properly met and departments based on comparable classifications. conferred with union members in the days prior. "It's seniority and classification and previous classifications "The union leaders were told that this was to avoid layoffs. held,"City Manager Tom Williams said."An employee with Significant financial data was provided demonstrating the more seniority could bump an employee with less seniority if budget shortfall.That offer was uniformly rejected by all of they're in the same classification,or the employee with more the union groups except(Milpitas Police Officers Association) seniority held that classification previously." and the city manager was forced to propose a different A measure of uneasiness too has emerged among the ranks solution to the budget crisis,"Ogaz wrote. of city employees,especially following the announcement Ogaz in his letter to Darker affirmed the city's willingness to during a May 12 special budget hearing that city employee meet with the unions. unions rejected a 2.5-percent retiree pension giveback plan offered by the city,which was meant to avert layoffs. "The chronology demonstrates an ongoing willingness to Since then,various city unions say they have been working meet and confer with the bargaining units and the represented on plans ranging from temporary work furloughs to temporary employees regarding the proposed layoffs,"Ogaz wrote."Note retiree pension givebacks as of press time though no formal that the layoff notices(approximately 21 total)are only preliminary.Consistent with past practice,city management consensus or agreement has been reached between the city continues to be available to meet and confer regarding the and employee unions. layoffs and will continue to be available in the future.To that Some city unions have balked at the terms and conditions the end,we invite each of the UPEC bargaining units and all other city first offered to employees and the ways in which the city city bargaining units to arrange a meeting with the city manager to further discuss the layoff situation.The city is committed to meeting its obligations to meet and confer as Advertisement 00 With a Bring the Classroom to Your Home Degree Online From Florida Tech APPU TODAY! F1orid3TeC1JO1I1ine.001TI.TD 888 Print Powered By �C)I rT1c$C? trlraltYl{GS http://www.themilpitaspost.com/ci_12413466 5/28/2009 Proposed layoffs shake up Milpitas city hall- The Milpitas Post Online � Page 2 of 3 required by law." Livengood said. "Door is always open" The mayor added as far as the 21 positions already on the 10 At press time,MPOA representatives confirmed they were chopping block 20 people and one vacant funded city attempting to set up a meeting with Williams to further position in accounting would likely be cut to keep the city discuss cost-savings options.Williams said he expected that stated that he from having a dip into its budget reserves.Livengood also meeting to occur by today. saw no alternatives even with future employee benefit givebacks as the gulf between the city's growing Williams said he is willing to meet with all groups. budget deficit and the employee contribution's cost savings would still not be enough. "The door is always open to look for solutions,"Williams said. "I know some people are unhappy but my job is to run this city responsibly,"he said,noting other cities as well as the Williams said there has been a good deal of"finger pointing" State of California have considered or already implemented from union to union. significant work force reductions. "But I don't think that's the issue;we're in the worst Livengood said he would not as many employees have called economy that probably rivals the Great Depression,"Williams on city officials to do in recent days dip into the city's$28- said. million budget uncertainly reserve,or"rainy day"fund,to get the city out of this fiscal crisis. Tied to the economy,Williams also noted a significant loss of revenue for the city was the transient occupancy,or hotel- "I could say,OSure go ahead spread the reserves around and motel tax. everybody likes me,'but then I leave the city in financial straits.I'm not going to do that,"Livengood said."...It seems "We are down over$1 million for TOT,"Williams said. like everybody wants it both ways,but you can't." On May 12,Milpitas City Council approved a prelimina Despite reports of low employee morale by many at city hall, budget to close next year's projected general fund bud et a Livengood said the dire economic times call for drastic by using a$5-million loan payment from Milpitas 9 gap measures. Redevelopment Agency and$300,000 through cost cutting of "It's a financial storm unlike any I've seen before,and you city supplies and contract services. have to take bold steps,"the mayor said."When you take bold Staff cuts could also include 10 vacant funded positions steps sometimes you step on different toes." eliminated through attrition,saving the city$1.4 million,and laying off nine temporary employees,saving the city Employees speak $200,000.City officials say balancing next year's total $147.9-million budget with these staff cuts and use of RDA During Tuesday night's city council meeting,four city monies will mean not having to tap into the city's reserve employees asked council members to reconsider staff layoffs. funds nor cut city-funded programs or services used by Milpitas residents. Liz Del Sol and Linda Cortinas,representing the city's 95- member Milpitas Professional and Technical Group,or ProTech Mayor Bob Livengood told Milpitas Post this week he group,urged the council to look at other union-offered expected that staffing cuts to the city's 400-member full-time options that include tapping reserves to avoid employee workforce were inevitable.And,according to the mayor,the layoffs.They spoke for the group because leave,for ea president potential for a second wave of employee cuts could happen if has been placed on paid administrative leave,for reasons that State of California takes more monies from cities, could not be officially confirmed. "The level of city employees that we have right now is not Teresa Meyer-Calvert,a city information services employee, sustainable...to balance revenues and ex enditures" implored the council to save city jobs. Advertisement r ' • !1-21 Degree Online From Florida Tech APPLY TODAYI .. 1 1 1 ( i" r6 Print Powered By ` ,Format p m http://www.themilpitaspost.com/ci_12413466 5/28/2009 Proposed layoffs shake up Milpitas city hall- The Milpitas Post Online Page 3 of 3 Goa R M001 "I stand before you this evening as one of the 21 employees being eliminated,"Meyer-Calvert said. Speaking with emotion,she added as a mother of three children the prospect of being unemployed along with tens of thousands of others in Silicon Valley would be drastic to her family.She suggested city unions would work to find agreement with the city. "Many of us are willing to contribute in these tough financial times to allow others to keep their jobs,"Meyer-Calvert said. She suggested Milpitas officials should also step up and be "more heroic"to save jobs within the city. "I ask you today not to see me as one of 21,but to see me as someone you all know,"she added. Later,one council member suggested if employee unions agreed to collectively contribute toward the city deficit,jobs might be saved. Vice Mayor Pete McHugh asked that a plan to rescind all layoffs be studied as an agendized item for the council's June 2 meeting.McHugh said contributions collected from employee unions could total approximately$930,000. "This will provide more time for restructuring and reorganizing,"he added."...This would be a way for us to get us through the coming year." McHugh's proposal drew criticism from his council colleagues. Mayor Livengood suggested collecting$930,000 through employee contributions would help,but effectively asked how the overall$10-million deficit equation would improve. "We'll see how these numbers add up,"Livengood added. Councilman Armando Gomez disagreed more bluntly with McHugh's$930,000 proposal:"That math is the most backward I've ever heard." Next steps for City of Milpitas is the council's planned final budget adoption on June 2.In addition,likely in the week of June 8,the council plans to study new impacts from the defeat of propositions 1A through 1 E from Tuesday's California statewide special election,which will exacerbate the state's deficit morass to more than 21-billion. Advertisement Id-to-End Training as It Should Be: 100% ONLINE! Fa • Certificate in Internet Mariketing r Online d 1-800-2W9943 'b Ana lytics 4 Social Media A r 1 Print Powered By 14JEr i namicsEl http://www.themilpitaspost.com/ci_12413466 5/28/2009 Sacto 9-1-1: Sac Metro to close 3 stations in money-saving move Page 1 of 6 THE SACRAMENTO BEE sacbee.cm Sacto 9-14 The Sacramento Bee's Crime blog is a comprehensive report of crime news, trends and information for your community and beyond. May 29, 2009 Sac Metro to close 3 stations in money-saving move From Bill Lindelof: Three fire stations in the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District will close in an effort to cut into an $11 million budget shortfall. The district's board of directors took action to close the stations Thursday night. Metro Fire, which serves suburban communities surrounding Sacramento, relies on property tax revenue, which has plummeted due to decreasing property value. The closures are estimated to save the district $4.5 million. To make up the remainder, the district is considering possible layoffs of non-firefighters, buyouts and leaving unfilled open positions created by retirement. The nature of remaining cuts has not yet been determined, said district spokesman Capt. Christian Pebbles. That is all in negotiation with labor and management," said Pebbles. "You are probably going to see some people go. We are going to have to." The stations -- 33, 64, and 102 -- would be closed until better economic times when re-opening would be evaluated again, said Pebbles. The stations could be closed in about a month. Station 33 is on Main Avenue in Orangevale, Station 64 is on Vancouver Drive in the Rosemont area and Station 102 is on Marconi Avenue near Eastern Avenue, Pebbles said. The good news, Pebbles said, is the district will maintain an average fire response time of seven minutes. Response time is how long it takes between dispatchers receiving a call and when firefighters arrive on scene. "When times were good and property values were high, we got fat," said Pebbles. "Now that the money is not there, we are getting leaner." Pebbles said the district has an obligation to the community to make cuts. He said it is not anticipated that firefighters would be laid off. About a year ago, the district hired a consulting firm to look into what fire stations could be closed with the least impact on response time. http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/crime/archives/022660.html 5/29/2009 Sacto 9-1-1: Sac Metro to close 3 stations in money-saving move Page 2 of 6 "These fire stations that will be closed were not just pulled out of a hat," said Pebbles. "It was a strategic decision. The stations were chosen based on the ability of neighboring stations to respond quickly and the three stations having lower call volume than other stations." He said Sac Metro employees have given up negotiated pay raises. The district will continue to tighten its belt to make it through tough times, he said. 1 ,w r . J G Yj North ..�. jj Highlands 4'.1...� - _ �-A v® � � IX Parxer Names : I µ l € 3 Far o8 GBrtnicel-� Akin�f'®ek' enon � �ti , ��� � r Gald;#2rver v .. American I r Parkway" fit? 4; WE Rancho � '�, . _Sats'atrieMo; E rM A4ather @MOO Googl*,-Term yf rRe Categories: Fire Tags: Fire Posted by Brian Blomster 9:26 AM I Comments (18) ShareThis Recommend this story at Yahoo! Buzz: Topic Tags Related Topics Popular Topics Budget Shortfall Call Volume Credit Cards Arnold Schwarzenegger Budget Deficit Cash Jet Engines Luxury Cars Response Flow Meg Whitman Paid Holidays Ray Time Tim Curran Allen State Parks About Comments Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here. What You Should Know About Comments on Sacbee.com Sacbee.com is happy to provide a forum for reader interaction, discussion, feedback and reaction to our stories. However, we reserve the right to delete inappropriate comments or ban users who can't play nice. http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/crime/archives/022660.html 5/29/2009 Santa Cruz police officers laid off in $2.3M budget cut but city leaders say decision isn't final- Santa Cr... Pagel of 2 salita C1111Z sellitinel.com Santa Cruz police officers laid made concessions, such as deferring a step pay off in $2.3M budget cut but city increase that had been slated for July. leaders say decision isn't final "We're at a point where what else is there to give," he said. "We just don't know what to do. ... By Jennifer Squires It's pretty drastic. It's pretty devastating." Posted:05/21/2009 01:30:43 AM PDT If the city and the union cannot reach an SANTA CRUZ--Ten police officers received alternative solution to the budget shortfall, the layoff notices Wednesday, part of a $2.3 million layoffs take effect June 26. No severance cut to the police department budget. packages were offered to the laid-off officers. Two other officer positions,which are unfilled, The police union and city officials are still in were frozen and a records clerk was laid off. The talks, according to Conner. He was hopeful that a cost-saving measures are an attempt to cope compromise would be reached before the layoffs with the city's$8.2 million budget shortfall. are implemented.Also, the City Council has yet to approve any budget, of which the cuts would "These cuts are devastating,"said Police Chief be a part. Howard Skerry, who met with the affected officers Wednesday afternoon. "Losing officers is "We are hopeful additional efficiencies and the last thing any police chief or community concessions can be found to help mitigate these would want to face but we recognize that no one losses,"Skerry said. is exempt from this and we too are required to shoulder the burden of this unprecedented The cuts are the 10th round of budget budget crisis." reductions for the city, but police spokesman Zach Friend said it's the first time the The layoffs, however, have not been finalized. department has experienced layoffs of this magnitude. The positions eliminated include 10 Rank-and-file police officers were asked to patrol officers, one sergeant and one lieutenant. take a 10 percent pay cut, but so far their union The lieutenant position is currently unfilled. has rejected an across-the-board reduction to salaries. To meet the city's request to cut 10 The current police force would drop from 95 to percent from its payroll, police brass had to 83 officers, a 13 percent decline. That's a 20 eliminate officer positions, according to officials. percent reduction from the department's high of 104 sworn officers in 2000. The non-sworn force Sgt. Mike Conner,the president of the Police has been reduced 40 percent during the same Officers Association, said officers have already time period. Advertisement tarn Your Master End-to-End Training as tt Sh4uld Be: 10O°�° �NtJNE! Certificate 1 &Paid Search 4 Internet Law Online Branding ­4 Media Buying 1-800-268-9943 A_N FRANC Web Analytics Social Media Print Powered By rid wFor'matlnamics httpJ/www.santacruzsentinet.com/newsletter/ci_12417159 5/28/2009 Santa Cruz police officers laid off in $2.3M budget cut but city leaders say decision isn't final - Santa Cr... Page 2 of 2 sailla rru sellitilled .com Conner said union members do not want to see that's going to look like," he said. another reduction of officers. Sheriff Phil Wowak has said he will not lay off "We need every person on the street,"he said. any deputies, but has said non-sworn staff at the "Our staffing levels are at rock bottom. The end Sheriffs Office may be cut. result is the services we provide are going to suffer." Scotts Valley and Capitola police don't anticipate any layoffs,the police chiefs at those Still,the cuts are not as deep as they could have departments reported. In March, Capitola police been.A one-time$219,000 JAG/Byrne grant from froze one captain position, cutting the agency's the federal stimulus bill will preserve two officer sworn officers from 22 to 21. Capitola police also positions for the next year and the department had furloughs. has applied for the COPS program grant, also through the stimulus bill,that would fund five officer positions. The COPS program funding is competitive and winners may not be announced until after the summer. Santa Cruz is the first police department in the county to announce officer layoffs. No other law enforcement agency reported plans to cut officers. Cities and the county are trying to balance their budgets before the start of the fiscal year, July 1. "It's way too early,"Watsonville Police Chief Terry Medina said. Watsonville police have frozen six unfilled positions, and during the winter all city staff-- including police-- had to take two-week work furloughs to save money. Medina said Wednesday it's not yet clear what additional cuts will be necessary but that the city may lose another$1 million from its budget. "We haven't made a determination as to what Advertisement End-fio-End Twining as Ifi Should[Zi T irmNLINE! Earn Your Master Internet Certificate MarkMing i &Paid Search Internet Law 1-800-268-9943 Online Web , , Media 1 o Print Powered By rid Forrr-matD namics e http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/newsletter/cl-12417159 5/28/2009 Watsonville wins concessions from all but firefighters union - Santa Cruz Sentinel Page 1 of 1 s(Inta Cruz sentinel .com Watsonville wins concessions "Asking someone to take a pay cut can mean the inability to make a car payment, the inability to from all but firefighters union pay property taxes," McCollum said. By DONNA JONES Posted:05/21/2009 01:30:42 AM PDT WATSONVILLE --The city has reached tentative deals on concessions with all but one of its bargaining units. Assistant City Manager Mario Maldonado said he couldn't release details until unions had ratified the agreements, a process expected to be concluded by Friday. The city is seeking up to 10 percent in pay cuts for the 2009-10 fiscal year to help close a$4.5 million budget gap. Maldonado said firefighters, whose contract expires June 30, are the lone holdout. He said police,who had another full year on their contract and didn't have to come to the table, have agreed to concessions. A coalition of five bargaining units representing the rest of city workers also agreed to givebacks. Matt McCollum, president of the Watsonville Professional Firefighters Local 1272, said firefighters had hoped to get a raise this year after a union study found salaries 15 percent less than comparable cities.Acknowledging the budget crisis, he said it's still hard to take a step backward. Advertisement Bring • Classroom ' • With a Degree Online From Florida APPLY TODAY! i d. 1 i 1-888-253-5946 D Print Powered By �ormatD narrics http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/localnews/ci_12417156 5/28/2009 B A K E R S F I E L D Department of Recreation and Parks Date: May 22, 2009 To: Alan Tandy, City Manager Cc: John Stinson From: Di ne Hoover, Director of Recreation & Parks Subject: Referral from David Couch Re: Volunteers adopting streetscapes During question and answer period after the budget presentation, Councilmember Couch asked if it would be possible to have volunteers adopt streetscapes to maintain. Volunteers can now adopt a park, or a portion of the Kern River Parkway, mostly for trash pick-up and minor maintenance such as pulling weeds in flower beds or planting trees. Volunteers have not mowed, trimmed trees, sprayed for weed control or adjusted sprinkler heads. Streetscape maintenance requires attention to irrigation, weed control, trimming, mowing and edging while at the same time being cognizant of the continuous traffic hazards. Having volunteers perform these functions would create a huge risk to the volunteers as well as to the city. A task such as edging could send a rock into a windshield of a parked car or even a moving vehicle, thus creating a series of claims upon the city. This is just one small example. Even work release crews who are not trained, but are supervised, work in park areas but generally not in the streetscapes. The City has, in the past, contracted with qualified homeowners associations for streetscape maintenance. After a period of time, they have turned it back over to the City to maintain. "We create a quality community through people, parks and programs"