The budget cuts will not reduce police or firefighters, including staffing added through recent academies.
Left to right, Springfield Human Resources Director William Maloney; Chief Administrative and Financial Officer Lee C. Erdmann; Mayor Domenic J. Sarno; Budget Director LeeAnn Pasquini; and Timothy J. Plante, finance director for the city and school department at an announcement on Monday in which Sarno presented a proposal for Springfield's fiscal 2012 budget.
SPRINGFIELD – Mayor Domenic J. Sarno on Monday unveiled a proposed $544.9 million budget for the new fiscal year that begins July 1, saying it includes 33.5 layoffs, the elimination of 48.5 vacant positions and a reduction in library hours.
In addition, Sarno and his finance team said during a press conference at City Hall that 330 non-bargaining employees will have their pay frozen next fiscal year and have to take 12 unpaid furlough days. Sarno, who has an annual salary of $95,000, is among those taking a pay freeze and furlough days
The mayor also has asked for a wage freeze and other concessions from union employees, but those negotiations are continuing.
The budget cuts, however, will not affect police and firefighter staffing, Sarno said. Both departments have added personnel to fill vacancies through a recent fire academy and a police academy ending this week.
Sarno said the budget maintains core services including trash collection and after-school and summer programs for youth.
Layoffs are planned June 23, and would be in various city departments, Sarno said. The 33.5 layoffs does not include layoffs in the School Department, that are separately considered by the School Committee.
The city budget includes full funding, estimated at $3.7 million, for education incentive pay for police officers, known as the Quinn Bill. The state no longer provides partial funding.
The budget will now be considered by the City Council, which can approve the budget as presented, or make additional cuts. The council cannot add expenses.
The proposed budget is balanced in part by the planned use of $10.5 million from reserve funds, and assumes that the City Council will approve the extension of the $75 annual trash fee beyond June 30, which generates more than $3 million a year.
Library hours at branch locations in the city are being reduced from 18 hours per week to 14 hours per week, under the budget plan.
The proposed fiscal year 2012 city budget reflects an increase of 2.1 percent over the fiscal 2011 budget that was adopted last July 1.
When taking into account the projected budget for this year, including transfers, the new budget reflects a decrease of 0.7 percent, Sarno said.
The budget cuts were forced by an expected cut in state aid for the fourth consecutive year, along with declining property values and rising costs, Sarno said. He described the budget outlook as the most difficult since he took office in 2008.
"This is not a spending issue, it's a revenue issue," Sarno said.