Here's the edited version of the exciting CHAINSAW budget cuts approved last night by City Council.  Here's hoping Nick will have a detailed article in the paper today.  If not, ponder these actions.

 

Sam Marshall was spewing the categories out so fast, the citizens couldn't always keep up.  Let's just hit the highlights for those of you not lucky enough to be in attendance.  Almost every category has small cuts in Soc. Sec., Perf, Supplies, Medicaid etc.  Let's not list those just the MAJOR eye openers.

 

Dept. of Mayor:

Mayor - $4,528, Deputy - $48,000, Assistant - $27,000, Health insurance - $16,000, Promotion - $4,000, Subscriptions & Dues - $1,000.  Total Cuts $104K (Axed Shirey, Assistant)

 

Controller - $2,009, Purchasing - $34,000, Payroll - $1,659, Health insurance - $8,000.  Total Cuts $78K. (Axed Wagley)

 

Clerk - $1,535, Deputy Clerk - $1,177, Health insurance - $30,000.  Total Cuts $104K.

 

Data Processing :

I'm not sure. Something was $243K.....if that was cuts it may have been the whole dept. which I believe we have advocated for in the past.

 

Dept. of Law:

- 50K

City Court Judge - $2,000, Probation - $2,091, Court Recorder - $1,196, Bailiff - $11,338, Public Defender - $1,560, Courty Secrty. - $1,133. 

 

Dept. of Bldg. Commissioner:

Commissioner - $1,678, Plumbing Inspect. - $1,285, Electric Inspect. - $1,393, Zoning - $37,604, Secrty. #2-$29,290, Health insurance - $20,500.  Total Cuts $96K.

 

Dept. of Personnel:

Director - $1,535, Specialist - $1,052, Sectry. PT - $13,711. Total Cuts $16K.

 

Animal Shelter:

Super. - $1,478, Control - ??? (I was talking), Health insurance - $8,000, Gas - $2,000, Other Services $17,983.  Total Cuts $62K.

 

Merit Commission:

Fire Tests - $23,557, Testing Site - $398, Police Application Exam - $2,600, Oral Exam - $4,000, Site - $390, Advertising - $800.  Total Cuts ???

 

Human Rights:

Director - $1,520, Investigator - $1,344. Total Cuts 3K.

 

Board of Works:

Electricity & Lights - $315,000, Repairs - $15,000, Other Services - $75,000.  Total Cuts $405K.  Muncie "City of NO lights!"  The council likes to keep us "in the dark," that's for sure.

 

Chief - $1,000, Deputy - $2,000, Office Mgr. - $1,139, Investigative Clerk - $31,748, Records Clerk - $30,601, Overtime - $50,000, GAS & OIL - $100K.  Total Cuts $254K.

 

Fire Dept.:

Chief - $1,480, WATER - $625K.  Total Cuts $626K.  The council likes to keep us nice and dry as well as in the dark.

 

Common Council:

Somebody(ies) - $6,603, Attorney-Legal - $3,000.  Total Cuts $13K.

 

Other Services:

$361,000 in Cuts.

 

 

I guess Beech Grove is outside the GF as it was mentioned afterward.  Where are Parks and Rec? Are they in public works?

 

Beech Grove Cemetery:

Secrty. - $29,960, Supplies & Gas & Oil - $2,000, Garage - $800, Other - $800, Lawn supplies - $3,000.  Total Cuts $39K. (Marshall commented that this was additional cuts, as about 60K had been previously cut from this budget.)

 

The votes for the question on considering these amendments passed 6-3 with all in favor EXCEPT Polk, Gregory and Conatser.

 

The votes for passing this budget as AMENDED passed 7-2 with only Polk and Gregory voting NO!  Conatser said he "wanted to move it along."

 

Remember, the above data is incomplete.  The above are the highlights.  Obviously, with the exception of Polk and Gregory the council wanted to slash and burn the budget and make a point by crippling departments that are vital to any city.  It is an "in your face" farce to everyone involved.  The mayor said she had an alternative with 1.5 million in health insurance costs with a 4 tiered employee contribution plan.  Mary Jo (I guess speaking for the council) told the Mayor "they didn't need her help now, they did it and she didn't think they would."

 

Polk offered pursuing the $500K overpayment to the 911 dispatch center.  Jim Arnold summed it up well at the end of the meeting.  He said "the council sharpened their pencils and got out their cost cutter scissors".  He recommended taking the Mayor's 1.5 million $ plan, Polk's $500K suggestion and some of the councils cuts and the city would have about $3 million in savings next year.  He also asked an important question:  Who is going to leave the lights on and how will the fire department function without water?????  After suggesting a hydrant fee and/or insurance payment on active fire calls he got something rare:  a round of applause from about 8-10 firefighters!!!!  Go figure.

 

I hope you enjoyed this summary and read more about it in the SP and on www.munciepolitics.wordpress.com.  It's a great site.

 

Thank you, Natasha for the update and a thank you to Boris for working through the night to get it ALL on video.