Marysville's 2012-13 budget deficit projected at $118K
Benefit packages for Marysville employees are still under negotiation and will likely determine if the city balances its 2012-13 budget, according to officials.
Last Thursday, the City Council approved a $7.3 million General Fund budget — a figure that has the city projected to operate at a $118,000 deficit.
A quick settlement with employees' unions could preclude the need for layoffs, according to City Manager Steve Casey.
"We're asking for some concessions, and if we can get those, that might even things out," he said.
But pay cuts made in 2010 still are in effect, and medical benefits have been reduced significantly.
"We're kind of running out of things to ask for," Casey said. "They have to feed their families too — we certainly understand that."
Meanwhile, the city has imposed a new contract in the face of an impasse in negotiations declared by the Marysville Police Officers Association.
The contract includes a 5 percent pay cut for sworn and non-sworn officers. Combined with other cuts made in recent years, police officers are being paid 15-20 percent less than they were three years ago, according to Police Chief Wally Fullerton.
"The city is chronically underfunded," Fullerton said of his department's inability to keep up with demands for services.
"It's funded for 13,000 residents and without consideration for the fact we have 35,000 people coming through the city every day on the state highways."
"Local governments are starving, and the (state and federal) fat cats are still eating at the trough," Fullerton said.
Cuts imposed previously, including 15 percent salary cuts for Casey and two other city executives, are still in effect for 2012-13.
Sales tax revenues for the city dropped significantly with the closure of Mervyns Department Store three years ago.
CONTACT Nancy Pasternack at npasternack@appealdemocrat.com or 749-4781. Find her on Facebook at /ADnpasternack or on Twitter at @ADnpasternack.
