The Virginian-Pilot
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CHESAPEAKE
When the city laid off 23 workers last year, it cut the only inspector certified to perform state inspections on elevators and escalators, forcing Chesapeake to contract out for the work.
It also got rid of one of three people who settled and reconciled the daily cash sheet transactions for Chesapeake's animal shelter, contributing to a decision to cut the facility's hours.
And the eliminations of groundskeeper and librarian jobs led to increased overtime and longer hours for colleagues that had to pick up the workload of the laid-off employees.
As city government is confronting the possibility of more layoffs, a recently completed audit attempted to gauge the effects of city jobs already cut. C ity leaders are weighing further cuts to fill a $23 million budget gap.
The City Council has made it clear to City Manager William Harrell that it won't approve any new taxes or fees. That means more job cuts and service reductions are likely, city officials have said.
Chesapeake was the only South Hampton Roads city to lay off general wage workers last year. But some cities such as Norfolk and Virginia Beach say they may have to resort to layoffs.
After seeing the audit, Harrell said the key will be to develop strategies to maintain accurate financial records and smooth operations as the city deals with a shrinking work force.
"I do believe we have to define a new normal in this economic slowdown," he said. "We just have to come up with creative ways to make sure we don't drop the ball in any way."
The audit was compiled by surveying city departments that lost positions or workers. It found significant internal control or service delivery impacts in more than a dozen departments, from parks and recreation to planning to the police department.
Top city officials pointed out that the audit covered the elimination of 37 largely vacant positions but did not include impacts created after 65 employees volunteered last year for a retirement incentive program.
Harrell said he will present his proposed budget March 23, but some preliminary details could be discussed at a council strategy session Saturday.
Mike Saewitz, (757) 222-5207, mike.saewitz@pilotonline.com
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Make it simple
Cut the 100 top wage earners. See how quick those underneath start finding savings.
Wassan
The Community Resident Vehicle program for the police department requires officers live in the city, have at least 5 years on the department, monitor the radio when using the vehicle and assist motorists and other officers when needed. You are fortunate to have not needed their assistance!
Cut From the Top
Cuts from the bottom reduce services and provide the lowest return on investment. Don't get rid of the people that do the work. Get rid of all these Deputy Department Heads and Assistant Department Heads earning $100+K per year. Let the Department Heads do their own job and earn their pay.
Lay-Offs
I know....why don't you stop letting police officers take the police cars home and use them for personal use (I've seen it)....that would probably save a ton of money in gas. Police do an top notch job and I am not saying to punish them but to save money maybe it would be a good idea until the economy turns around.
oh boo hoo....
listen up chesapeake city manager....get with the program. There are THOUSANDS of us doing the work of 2 and 3 people now due to the effects of layoffs or hiring freezes. We do not get overtime. We are tired, walking zombies most days. THIS IS WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO. Cut wisely and NO OVERTIME PAY. People have to worker harder and smarter. If they can't - fire them. You need to look at eliminating administrative positions as well. Administrators will not take up the slack of work that needs to be done -- they're another source draining the budget.
tell that to the feds
I guess some are lucky and/or worthy to be managers that are exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act while the rest of us getting paid hourly are covered.
If you are not one of those lucky (and/or merited) persons then the federal law says that if you work more than 40 hours in a week you get paid overtime.
Maybe your employer is taking advantage of you by making you work until you are a walking zombie. Maybe your employer will have to pay you all that backpay in overtime unless you are one of those administrator types.
LOL!
We're in Virginia, pal. They can do anything they want including firing an employee at anytime for ANY or NO reason.