Public safety positions in Marion could be at stake if property tax caps take out millions in city revenue.
It's still uncertain exactly how much funding would be lost. Mayor Wayne Seybold said he's not sure what would happen with city employees and programs if funding cuts are made, but cuts to public safety are a possibility.
Recent estimates from the Indiana Legislative Services Agency shows that Marion could lose $1.9 million in revenue for 2009 and nearly $2 million for 2010.
Fire Chief Steve Gorrell and Police Chief David Gilbert said they've both been keeping track of the situation and know that cuts could be made in their departments.
Firefighters 'fighting for their jobs'
Gorrell went to Indianapolis last week with 12 Marion firefighters, joining a union of firefighters from across the state that told lawmakers their concerns.
"We wanted to let them know that we have a dozen firefighters fighting for their jobs," Gorrell said of the Marion group.
He said the governor's plan of capping property taxes is going to help the average taxpayer, but citizens need to realize they could lose protection.
"If we have to cut back on firefighters, we're going to have to close a station," he said.
The Marion Fire Department has five stations; Gorrell said if six to nine firefighters are cut, one would have to close.
The department has 71 firefighters now. Gorrell said the city had its highest amount of firefighters in 1980, with 89 firefighters. While positions have been gradually lost through attrition, the department seems to be busier: MFD made 2,500 fire runs in 2007, compared to the 930 runs they made in 1980.
While they wait to see what will happen in Indianapolis regarding money, Gorrell said he trusts the mayor to make the right decisions.
"If he does have to lay off firefighters, it's because it was a last resort," Gorrell said.
Police effect is a concern
Gilbert said he, too, is getting involved with legislation.
"This has the potential to have an effect on us," Gilbert said. "It's significant. The only way I can say it is, we have a concern about it."
Gilbert said while he applauds lawmakers wrapping their mind and resources around the issue, he hopes they have a healthy respect for public safety in what they're considering.
The police department went from 78 to 72 officers in recent years. Crime is down, he said, but if officers are cut they may have to cut programs as well. There is only one Drug Abuse Resistance Education officer now, for example, and that program may be in danger.
"We're hanging on by our fingernails to that program. We could lose (it)," he said.
'Everything is speculation'
Seybold said he doesn't want to be an alarmist and tell people right now that they may lose their jobs. How much Marion could lose fluctuates, and when estimates come up to $2.5 million, he said it's likely that cuts would be made in police and/or fire.
Seybold said all other city departments "are about as lean as they get." The city will have to start asking themselves questions such as, should an employee be laid off or should the city start charging for services such as trash pickup.
"We're really not going to know until the session ends," Seybold said. "Everything right now is speculation."
Reggie Nevels, Marion City Council president, said he hopes that laying off police or fire would be the last choice.
"Hopefully we don't have to cut anything, but it's going to happen," he said. "Something's going to take place because of the circuit breaker bill."
Councilman Steve Wright said he's planning to listen to what the administration feels are necessary changes and try to get feedback on what the needs are for the city.
"There definitely needs to be property tax reform and I know that our people still want to drive on streets without potholes, they want their trash picked up, they want public safety," Wright said. "They want all that and we've got to figure out a way to pay for that."