A budget proposal submitted by acting Peekskill City Manager Brian Havranek would eliminate 31 full-time positions next year.
Havranek submitted a $35,650,045 proposal for the 2013 fiscal year to the Common Council Monday. The proposal represents a $388,937 decrease from this year's operational budget.
The tax levy would increase $837,972, to $14,804,248, and the tax rate would increase 6 percent, to $236.90 per $1,000 of assessed value. The average Peekskill taxpayer would see an increase of about $10.13 a month in additional city taxes.
Havranek's proposal would cut 31 full-time employees, or 14 percent of the workforce, for a savings of about $2.9 million. Of those 31 positions, seven are currently vacant.
"The current economic environment under which we are operating is extremely difficult and although there are signs that the economy is recovering, it is not growing fast enough," Havranek wrote in a letter to the common council. "With that in mind, my directive to each of the department heads for the FY 2013 budget was of reduction and consolidation and 'to think outside the box'. This budget will enable the continuation of essential services to the community."
A preliminary list of full-time being targeted for elimination include 15 administrative positions, 10 public safety positions and six positions in the department of public works.
In addition to the 31 full-time positions, another 9 part-time positions would be cut, for a savings of about $164,349.
"Furthermore, a number of key management positions were only partially funded for the FY 2013 budget," Hravenek wrote. "The assistant city manager was budgeted for nine months of 2013, the city manager position was budgeted for the last quarter of 2013 (three months) and the director of public works/city engineer was budgeted for 10 months of 2013."
Hravenek said he started the budget preparation process with a gap of nearly $5 million, which would have resulted in a tax increase of 35.3 percent.
He blamed a 21.5 percent increase in state pension costs, a 12 percent increase in health insurance premiums and shortfalls in revenue projections as some of the driving factors behind the city's increased expenses.
Other measures that would be taken to decrease the tax rate include:
- Decreases in the number of contractual lines
- Salary freezes for non-union management
- Substantial cuts to operational line items
- Increases in general fees
- Reductions in programs
- Reorganization and consolidation of departments.
During Monday's work session, the common council scheduled budget review sessions for Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.; Oct. 10, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.; and on Oct. 29, from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Check back for more updates as they become available. A PDF containing Havranek's proposal is attached to this story.
There is going to be a Demonstration at 5:30 PM on Tuesday (October 9th) in front of Peekskill City Hall. The Committee for Justice and the Westchester Grassroots Coalition and supporters are standing up in support of city workers being laid off by Mayor Mary Foster and her administration. We are also standing strong with their Union officials. This effort weaves nicely with our anti-racism and Justice issues as we are being asked to stand with them. There is also a plan to close the Kiley Center which has been an important resource and Center for City Kids. The impact on poor people and People of Color will typically feel the impact. These “budget decisions” come at a time when money is being tagged for a Public Relations Firm to improved the sadly tarnished image of the Mayor and plans for a very elaborate new firehouse among other items. This is a stand against the Mayor’s leadership, deceit and insensitivity we have all personally witnessed. The Press have been notified. There will be signs there and we hope you and your friends will join us on Tuesday afternoon. Jim Edler
Cynthia
it. People are so quick to comment on city workers "hiding out" while on the job, well these teachers and principals are "hiding out" on the job. Peekskill Schools have one of the lowest test scores in westchester, and one of the highest drop out rates. Maybe if all of you took a trip up to the high school you would see why. There is no control of the kids, they run the school, while security and teachers allow them too. I guess thats one thing that City Hall and Peekskill Schools have in common, they are both run by a bunch of bullies!!!!!!!!