Peekskill Budget Plan Would Cut Assistant City Manager Position

Assistant City Manager Brian Havranek is suggesting his own job may need to be cut in order for the city to meet a $4.9 million budget shortfall.

Havranek released a $35.6 million budget proposal that calls for the elimination of 31 full-time and 9 part-time positions spread throughout city hall, the police and fire departments and the department of public works.

Additionally, Havranek’s  plan only provides 9 months of funding for the assistant city manager’s position and three months of funding for the city manager’s position.

Havranek was the assistant city manager, but became acting city manager when Rick Finn resigned in December.

“Going forward, the city budget can’t have a full-time assistant city manager and a full-time city manager,” said Havranek, who’s been with the city for nearly 30 years. “Ultimately, my budget calls for the elimination of the assistant city manager’s position after nine months.”

Although Havranek is eligible to become the serve as acting city manager, he doesn’t possess all of the qualifications listed in the city charter to be named to the position permanently.

“There is a certain mandate that requires you to have a four-year degree,” Havranek said. “I don’t have that degree.”

Although the city’s tax rate would increase by 6 percent in Havranek's proposal, the city is failing to meet projected targets from other revenue sources.

Havranek said he began the budget process with a gap of nearly $5 million.

“You take that information and, right off the bat, that’s what we have to work with for the beginning of 2013,” Havranek said.

The Common Council will have a budget discussion on the fire, police, planning and department of public works Saturday at 8 a.m., inside Peekskill City Hall.