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Pocono News Section
Jobs Eliminated in 2010 Scranton Budget
Jobs Eliminated in 2010 Scranton Budget - Friday, November 13, 2009 at 6:33PM EST
Reported by: Eric Deabill
Friday, Nov 13, 2009 @ 06:33pm EST
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY - Several jobs are being eliminated in the city of Scranton. The news came Friday afternoon as city leaders released their 2010 budget.
A total of 27 jobs will be eliminated next year. A total of 15 will come in the form of layoffs. Those people were notified on Friday. Another 12 job cuts will come by positions that are not currently filled.
The city's budget is $77.8 million. That's about $800,000 less than in 2009. One of the biggest cuts will mean the elimination of one division of the Department on Public Works.
"We've eliminated our traffic maintanence division who are responsible for the maintanence of the signalization program as well as the signs," city business administrator Stu Renda said.
The fire department is not spared in the budget either. Eight positions which are currently not staffed will go away as well.
"No one is losing their job (in the fire department) and we've been dealing with this complement already for the last year so you're not going to see a decrease in service," Mayor Chris Doherty said.
Fire Chief Tom Davis thinks his department faired well.
"Last week there was stories going around, not from the administration, from people, that 39 firemen were getting laid off. There's none, so I think we faired very well," Chief Davis said.
The mayor says another big cut will come in terms of his administration. Staffing will be cut by four people or 17 percent.
"I wanted to set an example that we can work harder with less and that's what we're gonna do," Mayor Doherty said.
One of the major things the public will see is parking rates going up. Meters will now cost $1.00/hour. That's an increase of 50 cents. Also, parking fines will jump from $10.00 to $15.00.
"I do get it. I understand it. I know the budget is a concern and it's the easiest way to balance the budget or raise revenue," Tina Roberto said. Roberto came to city hall Friday to pay a parking ticket.
"We will increase that. That will hopefully bring in about $700,000 in additional revenue," Renda said.
There are no property tax increases in the 2010 spending plan. The budget now goes to city council for approval. | | |
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