By Jon Seidel, Post-Tribune
jseidel@post-trib.com
GARY -- The department at City Hall responsible for fixing potholes in Gary's streets is among those that could face elimination, according to a recent report from the city's fiscal monitor.
Public Financial Management Inc. said layoffs and consolidations have left General Services with a hodge-podge of responsibilities, and it might be best for it to be swallowed by Public Works.
Mayor Rudy Clay declined to comment on specifics in the PFM report after it was formally released last week, but he said he doesn't accept all of its recommendations.
According to the report's addendum, Gary officials said they're worried that combining General Services with the Public Works Department could lead to higher levels of dumping. PFM said that problem could be addressed by increased code enforcement.
If the city were to follow PFM's recommendation, it would eliminate General Services by consolidating park maintenance with the Department of Public Parks, fund two street maintenance jobs with the Motor Vehicle Highway Fund and transfer other staff members to Public Works.
That move would allow the city to eliminate the need for a director and assistant director of General Services, PFM pointed out, saving at least $137,000 annually in salaries and benefits.
PFM also said Gary can reduce its demolition unit staff, lay off another 75 percent of General Services' workers, charge street cut fees and pursue federal grants.
It also said Gary should finish the privatization of its trash collection. The Miller Citizens Corp. sued the city over that move earlier this year, and a Lake County judge is still considering whether the City Council properly adopted a monthly trash fee for residents.
PFM said Gary has 11 sanitation trucks sitting idle at 1100 Madison St. in case it needs to resume trash collection. Once the "remaining issues" are resolved, PFM said, Gary could make as much as $22,000 by selling the vehicles.