Furloughs OK'd by council

City employees could face furloughs next year under a cost-cutting move approved Tuesday by the Corning City Council.

In the proposed general fund budget, the projected revenues are $3,757,550 and the expenditures are $4,484,146 – creating a shortfall of more than $726,000.

Across-the-board employee furloughs was one aspect of a proposed budget cut plan that was passed on a 3-2 vote. Councilmen Ross Turner and John Leach opposed the plan.

Along with the furloughs, which would cut the shortfall by $184,250, the plan involves stripping $350,000 out of $600,000 in the general fund available reserve, lowering the deficit to about $192,000. 

The plan would leave the city’s operating reserves of $800,000 untouched.

“I think the idea of furloughs is worth it to retain all of our city employees,” said City Manager Steve Kimbrough.

Police Chief Tony Cardenas said he was pleasantly surprised at the reaction from his department when the idea of furloughs was discussed.

“They were all willing to look at the possibility of furloughs as they are very much against layoffs,” Cardenas said.

Director of Public Works John Brewer said the public works crew feels the same.

“We are like a family, and the idea of losing someone is an unacceptable option without exception,” Brewer said.

Before furloughs could be applied, the city would have to receive agreement from each bargaining unit of the employees’ unions. Furloughs would not begin until January.

Councilwomen Toni Parkins and Becky Hill and Mayor Gary Strack all agreed with the idea of furloughs, along with finding other cuts.

Those include voluntary cuts in councilmembers’ monthly stipend, moving Police Activity League activities to the Transportation Center, reducing the city contribution to the Chamber of Commerce by $7,200 annually, reduced conference, meeting, training and education expenses for city council and reduced contribution to the Tehama Economic Development Corp. from $20,000 to $2,500.

“I feel it is just putting off the inevitable,” said Turner. “We are going to have to make tougher cuts because I don’t think we should dip into the city reserves.” 

Both Turner and Leach provided the council with their versions of cuts that could be made to balance the budget.

Leach’s plan would reduce the city manager’s salary by 10 percent and eliminate the positions of planning director, building official, assistant public works director and part-time city attorney. Savings to the city: $360,000.

Turner said everything should be on the table for evaluation, including Corning’s fire and police departments, but he wasn’t willing to discuss cutting the $300 stipend for councilmembers.

“We need to cut every place, not just a few trimmings – staff, department heads, wages if permitted by the MOU’s, and city manager – but I will not give up my salary for the amount of work I am doing for the city now,” Turner said.

Following the vote, Kimbrough said he would have a revised budget ready for the next meeting.

“We need to remember that none of these decisions are final; we can still make changes if we need to,” he said.

KNOW AND GO

What: City Council meeting
When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday
Where: City Council chambers, 794 Third St.