FeedsRomulus seeks millage to avoid staff layoffs
Officials in Romulus are looking to the public to help maintain services throughout the city.
City voters will be asked to approve request of up to 3 mills for five years to fund police and fire services in August. The request comes in the wake of several attempts to reduce costs and prepare for an anticipated budget deficit in the next new few years.
“It’s going to be difficult to provide the same level of services, that’s the bottom line,” said City Council President Leroy Burcroff.
Residents and employees alike voiced concerns at the city council meeting Monday night about the millage request—as well as recent rounds of layoffs and retirements seen in the city.
Mayor Alan Lambert announced last week that three police officers and two firefighters would be laid off at the end of this budget year—which ends at the end of the month. The city saw three other layoffs earlier this year and a number of retirements, as well.
“There is no one up here that wants to see any layoffs, I assure you,” Burcroff told the audience Monday. “Every employee is near and dear to us.”
Lambert said the moves are necessary to reduce costs. The city is facing a budget deficit that could approach $7 million next year, he said. The projected budget deficit is the result of reduced revenue from the state and falling property values.
“We’re losing tax revenue in big numbers,” he said. “Everybody has the same problem.”
To compensate, the city has cut services and projects that will eliminate nearly $1 million in non-payroll costs across the board for the 2010-2011 fiscal year. The city has also eliminated its wood-chipping service, Fourth of July fireworks, summer music festival and the summer recreation program.
A successful millage could bring some services back and spare other departments from layoffs, as well.
“It’s really going to help everywhere,” said Lambert. “The additional money for the police and fire department will leave us other money to spend on all of our employees.”
Employees spoke up about the way the potential layoffs have been handled and the timing of the announcement. They are effective after the August vote. Kathy Ritter, a Romulus resident and employee and spokesperson for the Teamsters union, said the public works department was being hit particularly hard by the layoffs. Of the 32 notices that went out, she said 21 were members of the Teamsters union. Of those, 20 were Romulus residents, too.
“It’s heavy handed,” she said. “I don’t believe there’s any justification for it.”
Burcroff said he hoped a positive vote would help prevent any additional layoffs at the city.
“It’s really critical for our community,” he said.
