By Paul Minnis, The Republic
pminnis@therepublic.com
The city of Columbus would cut 6.4 percent of its permanent jobs under a 2009 budget that passed its first reading Wednesday.
Twenty-nine jobs, made up of 11 full-time positions and 18 part-time positions, would be eliminated out of the city's 450 permanent jobs, according to city budget consultant Oakel Hardy.
Due to a source error, the number of full-time employee cuts - not job cuts - was incorrect in a story on Wednesday.
Six of those full-time jobs to be cut are from the police department: four police officers, a parking meter attendant and the PAAL director.
The 6.4 percent does not include 18 temporary jobs the city fills for special purposes, such as lifeguarding at the city pool. Temporary cuts equal a 5.1 percent reduction out of a total of 350 temps.
Only the PAAL director's position is filled currently, meaning only he would lose his job, unless donors rescue the program.
The PAAL board has been trying to raise $75,000 to fund the program through 2009. That amount would include program Director Dean Layman's salary.
City officials contend the program is worth saving for its positive influence on children and proactive approach to law enforcement, keeping participants out of the legal system.
Budget down 11%
The budget calls for $27.2 million in general fund expenditures, down 9.8 percent from $30.2 million in 2008.
General fund money comes from property taxes and accounts for the biggest share of the overall city budget, which was $51.9 million in 2008 and is proposed at $46.3 million in 2009. That's a reduction of 10.9 percent.
City officials have to make the cuts, because state officials lowered property taxes, meaning cities and counties will have to get by with less money.
Wednesday, City Council members passed next year's budget on first reading. A final reading will be Nov. 25.
The proposed budget would reduce expenses far beyond personnel cuts, which Hardy said were a last resort to cut enough from the budget.
Highlights of other proposed cuts include granting no pay raises for city workers next year and instituting a hiring freeze. The city already has decided to move hydrant rental fees off tax rolls and onto users' utility bills.
City officials said every department has had to make cuts.