Employees from all five labor unions representing city workers have agreed to give up their contracted raises in the coming year, saving Westbrook more than $200,000.
“We are thrilled that municipal employees have been willing to step forward and provide relief for city expenses during these challenging economic times,” said Mayor Bruce Chuluda.
The $203,087 savings in wage increases will help the city make up for the projected $1 million decrease in revenue next year. A $580,000 shortfall in this year’s revenues resulted in the layoffs of nine employees in January. Chuluda said he is not proposing any more layoffs for the new budget, which he will present Monday to the City Council.
City Administrator Jerre Bryant said Wednesday the total budget still was not complete. Last year’s total budget, including the school department, was $53.6 million.
The city’s 122 union employees work in the fire, police and public services departments, as dispatchers and in the general unit, which includes City Hall and library employees.
The city and the unions negotiated new three-year contracts earlier this year, which included an increase in the employees’ contribution to their health insurance. However, that increase will also be delayed in recognition of their willingness to cooperate.
Employees will also receive an additional 32 hours of vacation time to be used, with certain restrictions, in the coming fiscal year.
The city’s 23 non-union employees do not work under contract, but have supported giving up raises for themselves, as well.
The mayor will present his budget to the City Council on Monday at 7:30 p.m. in Room 114 at Westbrook High School. A review by the Finance Committee will follow with several meetings scheduled throughout April. The final vote by the council will be in May.
The Westbrook Finance Committee has scheduled these sessions to review the 2009-2010 city budget:
Thursday, April 9, starting at 6 p.m.
6 Transit
6:15 Social Services
6:45 General Assistance
7 City Clerk
7:30 City Hall
7:45 Mayor/Council
8 Finance
8:30 Debt
8:45 Audit/Insurance
9 Dues/Memberships
9:15 Contingency
9:20 County Tax
Saturday, April 11, starting at 9 a.m.
9 Police
9:45 Fire/Rescue
10:30 Public Safety Building
10:45 Dispatch
11 Public Services
12 Lunch break
12:30 Recreation
1 Wescott Junior High School Building
1:15 Building Maintenance
1:30 Economic & Community Development
1:45 Planning
2 Engineering & Code Enforcement
Monday, April 13 (tentative) 6 p.m.
6 Assessing
6:15 Legal
6:30 Information Technology
7 Library
8 Human Resources
8:30 Benefits
Monday, April 27th, 6 PM
6 School Department
7 Revenues/TIFs
8 Revisit List
Send questions/comments to the editors.
