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WPCNR CITY HALL CIRCUIT. December 15, 2008: Mayor Joseph Delfino, as reported previously, has directed all city departments to tighten their budgets by some 7%. Today delivered some specifics by department on budget cuts. The cuts included the firing of an unspecified number of part-time workers in the Department of Public Works, the Library, and the Department of Recreation and Parks, including the Ebersole Skating Rink, (which according to City Hall has fired four part-time workers.) Here is the text of the Mayor’s statement released to the media today:
Mayor Joseph Delfino, October , 2008. Mayor Announced Budget Cutbacks Today, detailed as follows:
To All Department Heads
From: Mayor Joseph Delfino
Re: Budget Reductions and Savings
Re: Spending Reductions
As you already know, the economy is well entrenched in a recession that presents significant challenges for us all. While the City of White Plains has more than adequate financial reserves currently, it is necessary for us to be vigilant and proactive during these times and to take action to safeguard the City’s financial future.
We believe, given the current economic situation, that revenues for the City will be decreased significantly from last year. That is something beyond our control, although I encourage all of you to examine your fee schedules to see if there are areas that can be improved.
But we need to take control of what we can today. To this end, we have undertaken a review of our operations and our budget for the balance of the current fiscal year and have begun to implement additional strategies to reduce spending. Our goal is to not only reduce our current fiscal year spending, but to make structural changes that will reduce operating costs going forward with as little impact as possible on the level of services provided.
Thus far, we have identified operational costs for the balance of fiscal year 2008-09 which should be implemented immediately, they include:
City Wide: We can significantly reduce our expenditures on energy costs by taking some very simple actions. I am ordering that all City facilities reduce the temperature by 2 degrees now, in the winter months, and it will be raised by 2 degrees in the warmer months. It many sound trite or seem of little significance, but I ask all employees to be more aware in general of energy savings by shutting off lights and appliances in rooms that are not being used such as conference rooms, lunch areas, etc. I appreciate how hard you all work including on weekends. I’m asking, whenever possible during the colder months, to take work home. City Hall will be closed all weekend and the temperature will remain at 50 degrees until Monday morning.
Gasoline and diesel prices have fallen and if they remain at the current level or even go back up a little bit, we expect to realize a savings this year.
The current hiring freeze remains in effect, and we are seeing a significant savings as a result of that. I know this has placed additional burdens on all of you, and I appreciate employees who are stepping up and filling the voids.
• Public Safety: Reduction of planned overtime and discretionary spending – $200 thousand. In addition we will operate with the current vacancies we have, six in police and three in fire. However, because of the new proposed operational schedule we should have an additional two to three officers on each shift as well as an additional fireman.
• Recreation & Parks: This is a most difficult time of the year for reductions to this department because most of the operational money has already been expended. However, reduction of planned part-time staff expenditures and spending for program supplies and services, as well as modifications to program schedules, and the cancellation of underutilized programs and reduced hours of operation of some facilities will help contribute to savings.
• Youth Bureau: Reduction of part-time spending, some of which will be paid this fiscal year through a grant. We will reduce hours of operation by closing at 8 p.m. instead of 9 and will close on holidays and school vacations. The newsletter is being eliminated and there will be some cuts in program supplies/services and advertising.
• Library: Modified hours of operation, forgone replacement of vacant full-time position, reduction of part-time staffing, reduced spending on books & materials are all possible and will be discussed at their board meeting tomorrow night.
• Public Works: Reduced waste disposal fees through more effective recycling; reduced expenditure for paving materials; reduction of overtime and part-time through service modifications. The service modifications include the elimination of litter basket pick ups which are primarily in the downtown on weekends. This will save the City from paying crews time and a half on Saturdays and double time on Sundays. The BID street sweepers will monitor the baskets and a dumpster at City Hall will be used by them. We will delay the opening Renaissance Fountain for one month. Aside from the energy and water savings this will generate, it will also reduce the need for six part-time positions by allowing the full time crews to fully prepare ball fields for the season without simultaneously having to open the fountain.
• Parking Department: Reducing the hours in some garages after the Holidays will result in savings in overtime. Reducing materials and supplies that are not absolutely necessary for public life safety. We will also defer the paving of some surface lots.
These are the major cuts that will have a minimal impact on services. We believe we may be able to realize a savings of between $3.5 to $4 million as a result. Every department, mostly the administrative ones not listed here is expected to contribute. I commend every commissioner on their creativity and spirit of cooperation.
Our operational review is ongoing and we are committed to ensuring that the City of White Plains remains on solid financial footing. While this will not be an easy or painless process, working together, we will navigate these difficult waters, and we’re confident that this will soon pass.
