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.
Local News
City to cut jobs
Police, fire among potential reductions
- Local News
-
-
Mild winter speeds work: Entertainment venue may be complete by end of May
An unusually mild winter has accelerated construction of a new outdoor entertainment venue in Johnstown.
-
Man jailed on rash of charges
A Patton man is being held on $100,000 bond after police said he threatened to kill a woman, her family and himself unless she talked to him about a protection-from-abuse order.
-
Cambria abolishes 16 jobs
Following through on promises to cut budget costs, the Cambria County commissioners voted Thursday to abolish 16 positions, including nine full-time jobs.
-
Blogging with heart
Anyone else have this issue: The more I know, the more I want to learn.
As I am writing my heart month stories for this week’s packages, I occasionally come across a term or description unfamiliar to me. So I look it up. And then the definition or article has something else that sounds important, so I look that up. -
Wozniak defends his support of drilling bill
State Sen. John Wozniak, D-Westmont, one of only seven Democrats to support the Marcellus Shale legislation adopted this week, said the bill protects the environment and provides help to local communities impacted by the natural gas drilling.
-
Businessman hoping to unseat Wozniak
Tim Houser uses two words – “challenging opportunity” – to describe his goal in this year’s elections.
-
Judge tosses evidence in robbery
A Cambria County prosecutor said he’ll have to drop robbery charges against a Twin Rocks woman after much of his evidence was suppressed by a judge.
-
Shooting defendant pleads to attempted murder
A Philadelphia man pleaded guilty Thursday in county court to attempted murder and theft in a Nov. 18 home invasion in which the homeowner was shot.
-
Garrett man sought in Somerset crime
An arrest warrant has been issued for Samuel McFarland Jr., 33, of Berlin Street in Garrett in connection with Saturday’s robbery of two boys outside Dollar General on East Main Street in Somerset.
-
City man shot during alleged burglary
A Johnstown man was shot during a burglary attempt in Indiana County and then burglarized a home in Armstrong County before he was arrested, authorities said Thursday.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
