Published: November 17, 2008 10:59 pm      

City to cut jobs

Police, fire among potential reductions

About a dozen jobs may be cut or left vacant in order to balance Johnstown’s 2009 budget, officials now say.

And the proposed staff reductions – a few of which were detailed at a Monday meeting – will affect nearly all city departments, including police and fire.

The personnel moves are necessary for the financially distressed city to avoid a tax hike and spend within its means, City Manager Curt Davis said.

“We’re not going to spend more than we’re taking in,” he said.

Officials did not disclose all facets of the cost-cutting plan, and they often omitted job titles during Monday’s discussion.

Davis said the cuts are “being considered” and are not yet final.

However, some details emerged:

• The deputy fire chief’s job will be eliminated, Davis said. That position was on the chopping block last year but was spared by City Council.

• The public works superintendent – the department’s second-ranking administrator – will be furloughed.

• Davis said he wants to reduce police manpower by two.

He did not say how that would happen.

By contract, police cuts must be made through attrition.

“We’re going to try to do it without lessening the number of (officers) on the street,” Davis said.

In addition to police, fire and public works, Davis said his proposed personnel changes also would affect the Community and Economic Development Department, Parking Bureau and Finance Department.

Administration’s payroll is expected to be reduced by $10,000, reflecting Davis’ voluntary salary cut.

Left untouched is the Recreation Department, which has only one employee. The job reductions, along with cost savings due to retiring workers being replaced by new staff at a lower salary, are expected to save more than $380,000.